Student Cover Letter and Consent forms - STARTALK - University of ...

Project TitleWhy is this researchbeing done?What will my childbe asked to do?What aboutconfidentiality?What are the risks ofthis research?Page 1 of 3Initials _______ Date ______CONSENT FORM STUDENT PARTICIPATIONSTARTALKThis is a research project being conducted by The National ForeignLanguage Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. We areinviting your child to participate in this research project because he/sheis participating in one of the STARTALK Pilot summer programs forK-12 students of Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Persian, and Urdu. Thepurpose of this research project is to collect data on your child’sexperience and language development as a program participant toimprove and/or expand future programming.The procedures involve completing a survey at the beginning and theend of your child’s program experience. These surveys will recorddemographic information and previous language learning experiences,as well as your child’s attitudes regarding language learning, at thebeginning and end of his/her educational experience. The surveyadministered at the end of the program will also include questions thatevaluate the program. The surveys will be completed online or on site(where applicable). STARTALK also requests (where applicable) thatyour child assess his/her language skills with LinguaFolio (a selfassessment,self-report tool widely in use in Europe and several stateswithin the U.S. for language learners) during the course of his/herstudy. Other assessment tools may be used by the program your childattends.We will do our best to keep your child’s personal informationconfidential. To help protect your child’s confidentiality, all data willbe stored in a password-protected database. No participant names willbe included in any public or published reports or discussions of theproject. Your child’s name will not be included on the surveys andother collected data; a code will be placed on the survey and othercollected data; through the use of an identification key, the researcherwill be able to link your child’s survey to his/her identity; and only theresearcher will have access to the identification key. If the NFLCwrites a report or article about this research project, your child’sidentity will be protected to the maximum extent possible. If NFLCwould like to cite or showcase your child, for purposes of publicizingthe project and recruiting future programs and participants it willrequest your express permission to do so. By signing this consent formyou are agreeing for your child (where applicable) to be video or audiotaped. No individual participant will be identified by name in audio orvideo materials used by the NFLC for publicity, reporting, orrecruitment. Your child’s information may be shared withrepresentatives of the University of Maryland, College Park orgovernmental authorities if your child or someone else is in danger or ifwe are required to do so by law.There are no known risks to participating in these surveys andassessments.

_______ Date ______Project TitleWhat are the benefitsof this research?Does my child haveto be in thisresearch?May my child stopparticipating at anytime?What if I havequestions?Page 2of 3InitialsSTARTALKThis research is not designed to help you or your child personally, butthe results will be used to inform criteria for future programs and forprogram design recommendations to the language educationcommunity.We hope that, in the future, other people might benefit from this studythrough improved understanding of K-12 foreign language learning indifferent environments, increased interest in foreign language learning,and informed data on successful methodology for summer languageprograms and materials development.Your child’s participation in this research is completely voluntary.He/She may choose not to take part at all. If he/she decides toparticipate in this research, he/she may stop participating at any time. Ifhe/she decides not to participate in this study or if he/she stopsparticipating at any time, he/she will not be penalized or lose anybenefits to which he/she otherwise qualify.This research is being conducted by Dr. Catherine Ingold at theUniversity of Maryland, College Park. If you have any questions aboutthe research study itself, please contact Dr. Ingold at:National Foreign Language CenterUniversity of MarylandPatapsco Building, Suite 21325201 Paint Branch ParkwayCollege Park, MD 20742(301) 405-9698If you have questions about your child’s rights as a research subject orwish to report a research-related injury, please contact: InstitutionalReview Board Office, University of Maryland, College Park,Maryland, 20742;(e-mail) irb@deans.umd.edu; (telephone) 301-405-0678This research has been reviewed according to the University ofMaryland, College Park IRB procedures for research involving humansubjects.

_______ Date ______Project TitleStatement of Age ofSubject and ConsentSignature and DatePage 3 of 3InitialsSTARTALKYour signature indicates that:you are at least 18 years of age;the research has been explained to you;your questions have been fully answered; andyou/your child freely and voluntarily chooses to participate in thisresearch project.NAME OF SUBJECTNAME OF SUBJECT’SPARENT OR GUARDIANSIGNATURE OF SUBJECT’SPARENT OR GUARDIANSIGNATURE OF THESUBJECT (if at least 18 years ofage)DATE