Parental/Guardian Permission Form for Research Involving a Minor

Title of Research Project: The Tragedy of Reality: The Effectiveness of Post-Columbine Responses and Legislation at Preventing School Shootings in the United States of America

Researcher: Esbeidy Torres

Purpose of the Research Project: The purpose of this research project is to understand to what extent are gun control policies, responses to mental illness, and various post-Columbine safety measures effective at preventing school shootings in the Metropolitan Houston, Texas area. This research project is being conducted purely for academic purposes. 

Procedures: The procedures for this project are simple. High school students across the Houston Metro area are being asked to answer a short, voluntary survey about the safety measures implemented at their school. Students will also be asked to evaluate how effective they believe a series of safety measures to be at keeping schools safe. Some demographic data will be collected from the student, but it will not be used to single out an individual. Participation in the survey will not exceed 20 minutes.

Risks: The risks for this research project are minimal. There are no foreseeable risks or discomforts to the student or the parent/guardian associated with this study.

Confidentiality: The data collected from the student surveys will remain anonymous and will only be available to the researcher. When the data is presented to the researcher's instructor and their respective institution, the data will be presented in a group form. Individual student data will not be disclosed.

Voluntary Participation: Student participation is voluntary, and students will not receive an incentive for their participation. If at any point in the field survey the student feels uncomfortable responding, they may terminate their participation. 

Questions: If you have any questions regarding the research project and/or participation, please contact:

Esbeidy Torres (Researcher): esbeidy.j.torres@gmail.com

Mike Soucheck (Supervising Instructor): msouchek@newcaneyisd.org

Parent Permission Disclosure

I, the parent/guardian, grant my child permission to participating in the research project detailed above. I am aware that my child's participation is voluntary and that my child's responses will remain anonymous.

Student Assent Disclosure

I, the student, give assent to participating in the research project detailed above. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that my responses will remain anonymous.