Conducting Research in Orange County Schools

Orange County Schools (OCS) supports high-quality research that aligns with district priorities and contributes to improved outcomes for students and staff. All research conducted within the district must comply with Orange County Board of Education Policy 5230.

Requirement for Prior Approval

Any individual or organization seeking to conduct research in Orange County Schools is required to submit a formal research application and obtain written approval before beginning any research activities, including OCS employees conducting research for public audiences (such as for graduate school work). This requirement applies to all forms of research, including but not limited to surveys, interviews, focus groups, classroom observations, data collection, or analysis involving students, staff, families, or district data.

No research may be conducted in Orange County Schools without formal approval.

Review and Approval Process

All research applications are reviewed by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) to determine alignment with district priorities, compliance with policy and legal requirements, and potential impact on students, staff, and instructional time. Approval is granted at the discretion of the district.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit research requests as far in advance as possible, as review timelines may vary based on the scope and complexity of the proposed study.

Application for Research

Researchers interested in conducting research in Orange County Schools must complete the district’s Research Application.

Apply to Conduct Research in Orange County Schools

Submission of an application does not guarantee approval. Researchers will be notified in writing of the approval decision and any conditions associated with conducting the research.

For additional information, applicants should review Orange County Schools Board Policy 5230 prior to submitting a request.