Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child is being invited to participate in collaborative research study with the Capital Region BOCES.  We hope to learn if computers can be used to identify educational concepts stored in the text of student records. The long term goal is to help teachers in tailoring their lessons for a given student population.

If you decide to participate, we will be requesting your permission to allow us to examine your child’s existing student records. The information we will gather will be recorded in such a way that your child cannot be identified, either directly or through identifiers linked to your child. For example, proper names and student IDs will be replaced with random surrogates.  In addition, all of the data gathered will remain on Capital Region BOCES computers. I will not interact with your child, other than to explain the project to them and to ask for their permission to use their information. No new data will be gathered for this study.

There are no foreseeable risks or physical discomforts associated with this study. Although the results of this research may not directly affect the students involved in this study, it will help the BOCES, and us, as researchers and educators to gain a better understanding of how to create effective learning environments. Knowledge gained from the study will contribute to an enhanced understanding of technology and its applicability to teaching.

Any information obtained in connection with the study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and be disclosed only with your permission. 

Your decision about whether or not to participate will not prejudice your future relations with the Capital Region BOCES.  Your child’s participation in this project is strictly voluntary. If you decide to participate, you are free to discontinue participation at any time without prejudice.

If you have any questions, please ask.  If you have additional questions later, please feel free to contact me, Ira Goldstein, at 518-782-6613 or at igoldstein@siena.edu, and I will be happy to answer them.

You will be offered a copy of this form to keep.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Ira Goldstein