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Research

The Research department supports district decision-making through primary and partnered research, program evaluation, the calculation of Student Learning Growth (SLG) scores, and support for state value-added models (VAM).

In addition, we encourage and collaborate with external institutions in developing targeted research studies that align with district priorities. In carrying out all research studies, procedural safeguards are in place where multiple layers of review and approval are required for a study to be implemented. Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has always required informed consent forms to be used when conducting research with OCPS staff, students, or families. Feel free to review OCPS’ Informed Consent Guide. With the passage of Florida Statute section 1001.42, OCPS will provide parents and legal guardians with access to review student surveys, interview protocols, focus group protocols, or other researcher data collection instruments intended for use with students prior to implementation. Parents and legal guardians will have the right to review all materials submitted and opt their child(ren) out of any study. As with all research studies, parents can opt out of having their child(ren) participate in any research study at any time. The involvement of any participant in research conducted in OCPS is always voluntary.

 

The Research department is led by Director, Dr. Xiaogeng Sun (xiaogeng.sun@ocps.net). For more information, please contact:

Sabrina Hunter, Administrative Secretary
sabrina.hunter@ocps.net
407.317.3406 

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Resources

STATE OF FLORIDA SITES (FDOE)

Research Resources

Evaluation Resources

  • Program Evaluation is the systematic practice of appraising programs for qualities such as effectiveness and efficiency. Direction is given from senior management about which programs will be evaluated and results are communicated internally to support district-wide decisions.

  • Student Learning Growth (SLG) scores are used in personnel evaluations in conjunction with observation-based scores. The SLG scores are determined by estimating the unique contribution of instructional or non-instructional classroom personnel on students' academic growth over a certain period of time.

    The primary methods used to calculate these scores are called Value-Added Models (VAM), in which adjustments are made for characteristics outside of the control of the school and personnel such as students’ English Language Learner status or their number of days absent. 

    State Resources

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