Charles City 2024-2025 Write to Succeed Parent Opt-Out Form

Parent/Guardian Informational Letter, The Write to Succeed Project

Your child’s school is participating in the Write to Succeed Project. This project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Education and will be conducted by WestEd, a research organization. The WestEd team is working closely with your school to understand what happens when students write about things that are important to them and others, and how this may help students do well in school.

What will happen?
All students in 7th grade at your school will complete four writing exercises during the school year. The writing exercises will be administered by their teacher along with one student survey to be administered at the end of 7th grade. The information will only be used for the research project and will not affect his/her grades. Strictly for the project, we will ask your district to provide administrative records, including test scores and other background information.

What will my child have to do?

Your child’s information collected from the writing exercises and surveys will be used in the research project. It will be kept confidential.
We will ask your school district to share some information about your child, including his/her name, student ID number, gender, ethnicity, scores on state tests, school attendance, and whether she/he has an IEP or received free or reduced lunch.

Does my child have to participate?
No. It is completely voluntary. There are no penalties if your child does not participate in this project. Your child’s grades and school status will not be affected. You have the right to withdraw your child from the study at any time. There are no penalties for leaving the study early.

Will our privacy be protected?
Yes. All information we collect about your child will be kept confidential. It will only be used for research purposes. We will store all surveys and other information in a secure location. Neither your name, your child’s name, nor other identifying information will be shared outside of our research team.

Are there any risks to participating?
We do not believe there will be any risks to your child beyond normal school activities.

Are there any benefits?
Your child may benefit from participating in the writing exercises.

I have more questions, who do I contact?
For more questions about this research study, please contact Kylie Flynn, at 510-302-4282 or kflynn2@wested.org. For concerns about your or your child’s rights as a research participant, contact WestEd Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 844-IRB-KIDS (844-472-5437) or subjects@wested.org.

How do I opt my child out of having their data be used?
If you would prefer your child not participate, please fill out and submit the opt-out form on the next page