Your child’s teacher is helping us learn more about a new online math learning environment.
WestEd, a non-profit education research agency, is studying an online math learning system called “MathSpring” for sixth grade math classrooms. The U.S. Department of Education is funding this research study. In the research, we want to find out whether using MathSpring can help students learn more about math and improve their attitudes towards math. The study is being conducted by the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and WestEd.
What will my child do for the study?
As a part of classroom activities during the school year, students will complete two math tests and two surveys on their attitudes towards math and their approach to learning math. These tests may take up to three class periods and will be completed in school.

We are asking for permission to include your child’s information, including the math test scores and survey answers, in our research study. This will help us better understand how children like yours learn math.
Does my child have to participate in the study?
No. It is completely voluntary. There are no penalties for you or your child if your child’s information is not in the study. Your child’s grades and school status will not be affected. You can also remove your child from the study if you change your mind later.

If you choose to not have your child in the study, they will still participate in all classroom activities as usual. This includes math tests, surveys, and programs that your child’s teacher decides to assign. However, your child’s information will not be included in the research study.
Will our privacy be protected?
Yes. All information we collect about you and your child will be kept private, will only be used for research purposes, and will never be shared outside the study team. After the study is over, we will destroy records that contain personal information about you and your child. Your information will only be used for this study. We will not use your information in other research.
Are there any risks to being in the study?
We do not believe there will be any risks to your child beyond what they experience in their normal school activities.
Are there any benefits?
There are no direct benefits to you or your students. The results of the study will help the research field learn about effective ways to teach math for middle school students, and about ways to help children like yours to build positive attitudes towards math.  
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
If you have more questions about this study, you may contact the study’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Mingyu Feng. You may contact her at (650) 381-6475 or mfeng@wested.org. If you have questions or concerns about your or your child’s rights as a research participant, you may contact the WestEd Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 844-IRB-KIDS (844-472-5437) or subjects@wested.org.
What if I do not want to give permission?
If you DO NOT want your child’s test scores or survey answers to be used in the study, please complete this survey. If you do not complete this survey (or return a paper copy of the opt-out form to your child’s teacher), your child’s test and survey information will be used in the study.
You only need to complete this form if you do not want your child to participate in the research study.

You do not need to do anything if you do want your child to participate in the research study.

Question Title

* 1. Check the box below if you DO NOT want your child’s information included in the study.

Otherwise, simply exit out of this survey window.

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