​​ ​​The Department of Catholic Schools will review the written request to conduct research in Catholic schools. Consultation with experts in the field, when appropriate, will be undertaken in evaluating research proposals using the following criteria:

• The potential educational merit of the study 

• Evidence of bona fide university or institutional affiliation 

• Appropriate supervision of the researcher, if the researcher is a student 

• Minimum disruption to the school schedule 

• Adherence to standard, ethical research guidelines; applicable Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements; and Roman Catholic norms 

Except for narrowly tailored academic or diagnostic testing by licensed educational psychologists retained by individual schools, no research or testing project may be conducted at any school without prior written permission from the Department of Catholic Schools. Principals or other administrators who receive a request to conduct research from any person, whether or not that person is currently employed by or affiliated with the archdiocese must refer the request to the Department of Catholic Schools.

Notification that the research proposal is approved or not approved will be given in writing to the researcher and, where applicable, to the IRB by the regional superintendent.

The Department of Catholic Schools reserves the right to terminate any research project involving Catholic schools in the archdiocese with or without cause at any time.