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MPS External Research and Evaluation

The Research, Evaluation, & Assessment Department oversees the research and evaluation process in conjunction with the Office of General Counsel . All requests to conduct surveys, evaluation or research, whether from a Minneapolis Public Schools employee, or from anyone outside of the District, are to be referred to the REA Department.  

Preference will be given to research projects that align with the Minneapolis Public School's Strategic Plan.

Research conducted within MPS is governed by MPS Policy 1730 (Academic Research) and Regulation 1730A (Responsibility, Definitions and Procedures for Research Approval). 

Federally Funded Research

Researchers working on federally funded projects (Census, Department of Education, Workforce, etc) should reach out to the REA Department for a conversation before applying or reaching out to schools.

Contact

MPS Research,
Assessments and Evaluation for questions about submitting a research or evaluation application 

Data Available

  • FastBridge (K-9, literacy and math screeners):
    • November, March, June
  • ACCESS for ELLs (English Language proficiency):
    • State releases scores at the end of August (3 months after testing is complete)
  • MCA (standards based assessments): 
    • State releases scores at the end of August (3 months after testing is complete)
  • ACT:
    • Mid-July
  • Graduation Rates:
    • Spring after graduation
  • College Matriculation:
    • 2 summers after graduation

Researchers and evaluators must comply with all District policies, and state/federal laws regarding student data privacy including the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statute Chapter 13 and The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

  • MPS defines data as any information provided by the school and/or district (individual or aggregate student data), as well as any information that outside organizations collect directly from students and/or families. This includes observations, surveys, focus groups, or individual interviews.
  • MPS defines identifiable data as data set where information and data can be connected to a specific student.
  • MPS defines de-identified data as a data set where any identifiable data has been suppressed or removed from the data set. 
  • REA suppresses data if the n is less than 5 and uses a researcher ID number to identify students for internal matching purposes.
  1. The study must be in alignment with district priorities.
  2. The study must have the potential to make a definitive contribution to the education profession and/or to the Minneapolis Public Schools in particular.
  3. The study must be pedagogically sound and feasible in terms of its demands on student time, teacher time, and possible expense to the district.     
  4. The study design should minimize disruption to instructional time.
  5. Staff members’ time must be protected so that they can complete their assigned duties.
  6. There must be reasonable assurance that no child in the Minneapolis Public Schools will suffer educationally as a result of the research.
  7. The researcher must use appropriate methods to secure informed consent from study participants. The overall design of the study must be sound and have the potential for successful completion.
  8. The project must comply with ethical standards for research in education and with all regulations set forth in federal and state law, particularly as they pertain to privacy of data on individuals.

Interested in applying to do research with MPS? Click Here 

Status of Current Proposals and Research Projects