February 16, 2017

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am a graduate student in the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education at

West Chester University of Pennsylvania, working toward my M.Ed. in Applied
Studies in Teaching and Learning. As part of my Masters degree program, I will be
conducting a classroom action research assignment to understand the benefits of
balanced literacy during our English Language Arts block.

I would like to include your child in my research project. I have discussed my

research with my building administrator.

During a period of 6-8 weeks, I will be analyzing our use of balanced literacy during
English Language Arts (ELA). The ELA block includes time for read aloud, shared
reading, guided reading, as well as time for independent reading. As I examine
balanced literacy, I will be collecting data by recording observations, analyzing
students scores and students work, as well as possibly interviewing or recording
student discussion.

All data that I collect (observations, interviews, scores, and recordings) will be kept
confidential with no references to students names being used in my work at any
time.

I do not anticipate any risk to students who participate greater than daily school
life while conducting my research. If you choose for your child to not participate
they will still be included in our daily ELA activities, however, I will not use
information about them (observations/recordings/interviews/scores) in my research.
The choice to participate or not will not impact your child in any way. They will not
receive any additional benefits or any penalties for not being a participant in my
research.

Additionally, you may withdraw your consent for your child to participate at any
time, without penalty.

All information that is obtained during this research project will be kept strictly
secured. Your childs name and any other information concerning your childs
identity will be deleted from the research information. Child and family
confidentiality is most important and every effort will be made to insure that this
research remains confidential at all times.

The results of this study will be used for an online website that is required in my
course, Teacher as Classroom Researcher, in the College of Education at WCU.
Pseudonyms will be substituted for the names of students included in my research.
The website used to present my research is a password-protected site, viewable by
me, classmates, and my professor only.

Please indicate whether or not you consent to allow your child to participate in this
research project by returning the form below.

If you are willing to allow your childs participation, please return the following form
by
Thursday, February 23rd, 2017

Sincerely,
Laura Sawyer
610-489-5000 ext. 42301
lsawyer@methacton.org

______________________________________________________________________________

I agree to for my child to participate in this research and I understand that

observations, scores, interviews, or recordings from my child will be included,
anonymously. I understand there is no risk to my child, and that I may withdraw my
consent at any time, without penalty.

_____________________________________________ __________________________
Name Date