Attachment E: Mentor Information and Informed Consent

Attachment E: Mentor Information and Informed Consent

Name of Research Study: Evaluating the Retired Mentors for New Teachers Program

Protocol Number: CE 4.4.3

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education

Principal Investigator: Dale DeCesare

Address: REL Central

9000 E. Nichols Ave., Ste. 112

Centennial, CO 80112

303-766-9199

Introduction and Purpose

You are being asked to take part in a research study conducted in cooperation with Aurora Public Schools (APS) by the Regional Education Laboratory for the Central region of the country (REL Central). The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and focuses on the mentoring experiences of probationary teachers in selected district elementary schools. Please read the following important information. If you have questions that are not answered in this form, contact information is provided so that you may ask as many questions as needed and REL Central staff will be happy to give you more information.

Description of the Research Study

We are conducting this study with APS in order to gather information on the characteristics of mentoring support that probationary teachers receive in APS elementary schools and to evaluate the district’s “Retired Mentors for New Teachers” program. This provides two years of added mentoring support to probationary teachers using retired, master APS educators.

The study, which will estimate impacts on students and teachers, will be of interest not only to large, urban districts such as APS, but to suburban and rural districts as well. Like APS, these districts continue to grapple with how best to support new teachers in an environment of reduced budgets. Use of retired, master educators represents a growing, untapped resource for such districts to draw upon in supporting their newest educators.

Description of the Research Study and Data Gathering Activities

This study will involve approximately 100 probationary teachers in 14 APS elementary schools. For purposes of the research, half the teachers will be randomly assigned to either a “control” group (where they will receive the district’s normal mentoring support) or a “treatment” group (where they will receive two years of added support from a retired master educator such as yourself).

You will be asked to participate in fall and spring focus groups with other mentors in the Retired Mentors for New Teachers program during the 2013-14 and 14-15 school years. The focus groups will take 60 minutes to complete and will ask questions about the types of mentoring you provided and your opinion on the value of program activities.

You will also be asked to maintain monthly records of support to track the content and duration of the mentoring you provide. These monthly records of support will be shared by the district with REL Central researchers for use in our analysis of the program.

Risks or Discomforts

There are no foreseeable risks to participants in this study.

New Findings

The research staff will tell you of any information learned during this study that might either inform your work or cause you to change your mind about taking part in this study.

Possible Benefits

The district will compensate you for your time according to the agreed upon hourly rate in your APS contract for services. The study has the potential to provide useful information for the development and refinement of teacher mentoring systems. You, the district, and the teachers you work with may ultimately benefit if this information is used to inform future training and guidance on teacher mentoring systems

Confidentiality

We will protect all identifying information about you and your participation in this research study to the best of our ability. All study data (e.g., focus group data) will remain in possession of the research staff at all times. No participant names will be used in any report.

All data from focus groups will be recorded anonymously, and no personally identifiable information will be shared with the district. Please be advised that although the researchers will take every precaution to maintain confidentiality of the data, the nature of group discussions prevents the researchers from guaranteeing confidentiality. The researchers would remind participants to respect the privacy of your fellow participants and not repeat what is said in focus groups to others.

Contact for Questions

If you have any questions about this study, you may contact Dale DeCesare at APA Consulting, 1120 Lincoln, Suite 110, Denver, CO 80203, 720-227-0089 or at dmd@apaconsulting.net.

If you have any concerns regarding this project, dissatisfaction with any aspect of this study, or questions about your rights as a research subject, you may contact Liberty IRB, 2024 Larchmont Drive, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 740-9278.

Voluntary Participation

If you decide to participate in this study, it is completely of your own free will. There will not be any penalty or loss of benefits to you if you decide not to take part or withdraw at a later time or to not answer any focus group question.

Cost

There are no costs to you associated with your participation.

Consent

I choose to participate in this study. I have read all of the above or it has been discussed with me. I have had the chance to ask questions about this study, and my questions have been answered. After I sign this consent form, I will be given a blank copy of it for my own records. I do not give up any of my legal rights by signing this consent form.

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Signature of Participant Date

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Participant’s Email Address

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Signature of Person Obtaining Consent Date

4/23/2013, v.1 Page 4 of 4 ___________