Data & Research Requests

Please note that we are not taking any additional research or data requests at this time. We will begin taking new research and data requests on August 5^th, 2024.

General Information

Individuals and organizations interested in using data from Memphis-Shelby County Schools to answer research questions must be granted approval prior to beginning a project (i.e., before reaching out to District leaders, schools, teachers, students, etc.). 

MSCS will only accept applications from:

1) current MSCS staff,
2) faculty from local colleges and universities,
3) researchers fulfilling state or federal government reporting requirements, and
4) organizations or projects with sponsorship from District executive leadership.

If none of the above categories apply to you, please do not submit an application or fee.

If you are unsure, please send an email to Research Management ([email protected]) with your research proposal so that we can provide a preliminary determination of whether your application is eligible for acceptance.

To begin the approval process, an applicant should submit a complete application packet by email to Research Management ([email protected]) which includes the following:

• Application Request for Data or Conducting Research
• Drafts of consent forms (if proposing to conduct a research project)
• Draft of survey/interview questions (if proposing to conduct a survey/interview)
• Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or determination letter
• $25 application fee
• For payment of the $25 application fee, we can accept only a check or money order made out to Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The check or money order should include the applicant’s name printed in the memo line and be mailed or delivered to:
• Mail check to:

Department of Research & Performance Management Coe – Room 304

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

160 S. Hollywood Street Memphis, TN 38112

Please note that completing the application process does not guarantee approval. Research questions that do not clearly benefit the District are likely to be rejected. Additionally, approval from the Research Department does not obligate any school, principal, teacher, or student to participate in a research project.

Factors considered when reviewing an application include: 1) protection of participants; 2) impact on instructional time; 3) administrative burden on schools or Central Office; and 4) quality of proposed research.

Be advised that research proposals to conduct surveys are not likely to be approved given the large volume of surveys already conducted within District and the cumulative impact this has on instructional time.

MSCS does not permit applicants who are current MSCS school staff to ask their own faculty, other staff, or students to participate in their research unless it is classroom-level action research. Additionally, any research proposals or data requests involving students with disabilities will not be approved.

Applicants can expect email confirmation upon receipt of the application and notification of a decision within 40 business days of receiving all application materials, including the $25 application fee.

To begin, click on the links below.

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