Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) encourages educational research and data collection to support and inform instructional and administrative decision making. The first responsibility of the district is the teaching and learning that occurs in the classrooms, so cooperation with research must occur with this obligation in mind.

Research and other data collection activities are subject to procedures designed to:

• Comply with ethical standards for research in education and with all regulations set forth in state and federal law to safeguard the privacy of current and former students, their parents, current and former staff members, and other participants in BPS-sponsored activities (please see FERPA regulations).

• Limit interruptions to the instructional program

• Ensure high quality research practices –the technical competency, feasibility, pedagogical soundness, design soundness, and appropriateness of research and other data collection activities in the BPS setting.

OSA Collection Guidelines:

BPS is cognizant of the demands placed on students and staff for data collection activities by state and local agencies and by other research endeavors.

Approval from the OSA is required before beginning any research that involves BPS district staff, students, facilities, or functions in:

• the collection of data from students, parents, teachers, administrators, or other professional staff.

• the observation, individual interviewing, or focus groups involving any of the above persons or groups.

• the release of private data, non-public, data from the district’s records.

• the recruitment of subjects for research.

   

Data Request Directory: 

There are many different types of data and reports that can be requested from the Office of Shared Accountability. Each type of research or data collection is subject to specific procedural guidelines. Our data reports are based primarily on exports from NYSED databases, the Erie 1 BOCES/WNYRIC Data Warehouse, and our student information system (Infinite Campus).  

Reports you request may include:

• District, School and Grade demographic/enrollment information and limited BEDS data.

• Examination results may be reported from the New York State Testing Program (ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, Regents, etc).

• Literacy and mathematics formative/screening assessments (DIBELS, DIBELS Next, IDEL, CIRCLE, Istation, STAR Math, and in-district benchmark assessments).

• Student performance results may be reported by district or by specific school. The data may be aggregated or disaggregated by subgroups including Education Types, Limited English Proficiency status, SES (student economic status), race/ethnicity, or particular program type.

IMPORTANT: This form is only to be completed by BPS employees requesting data necessary for their work. 

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following form directly in the window or by clicking the link below. Please allow 5 business days for your request to be completed. 

• Internal Data Request Form

  *NEW 3/8/23*

IMPORTANT: Applicants must be individuals or organizations with a relationship with the Buffalo Public Schools who are requesting data as part of their collaboration with the BPS OR individuals from other educational institutions.

DIRECTIONS: Please download the following form and supporting documents using the "download the document" option below the window or by clicking the link below. Then complete it, rename it as indicated on the form, and submit it with any additional attachments to DataRequest@buffaloschools.org. Please allow 5 business days for your request to be completed.

• External Data Request Form

  *NEW 9/20/2021*

IMPORTANT: Anyone interested in conducting research in BPS must have approval prior to starting any research activities. This includes BPS employees conducting research outside of their job-related responsibilities, university faculty and research staff, students, independent research firms, government agencies, and other individuals or organizations interested in conducting research in BPS.

The following are examples of research activities that require approval by BPS:

• Collecting primary data (through surveys, interviews, or focus groups) from students, parents, teachers, administrators, or other BPS staff

• Conducting observations of school sponsored activities, including classes, staff workshops, parent teacher meetings, etc.

• Accessing administrative/secondary data (i.e., data that is not publicly available) to support research activities

DIRECTIONS: Please download the following form and supporting documents using the "download the document" option below the window or by clicking the link below. Then complete it, rename it to include your name and organization name (if applicable), and submit it with any additional attachments to DataRequest@buffaloschools.org. Please allow 5 business days for your request to be reviewed.

• Data Sharing Agreement - This agreement MUST be completed, signed, and submitted with each request to conduct research. Included must be details about the type of data being collected and how it will be kept secure. *Note that electronic surveys of students and/or staff are not considered anonymous because they can be traced back to the individual.

• Research Request *NEW 3/18/2022*

Freedom of Information Request