Research Overview Packet

Project Title: Evaluation of a New Curriculum for In-Class Learning
Researcher: Dr. Heather Emerson-Young
Contact:  Heather.emerson12@gmail.com
Grade Level / Subject: 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade

Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, student engagement, and instructional feasibility of a newly developed curriculum designed for [grade level/subject]. This curriculum is grounded in the mission of Carolina Education Collaboration (CarolinaEDCO), which is to revise Healthy Living into a research-based, meaningful learning experience that produces long-lasting social-emotional effects for students.

This study will gather feedback from both students and teachers to inform curriculum refinement before potential broader implementation across Wake County Public Schools.

This aligns with CarolinaEDCO’s emphasis on emotionally and socially responsive learning — integrating emotional/communication skills, social interconnectedness, and environmental/land stewardship as foundational components of holistic education.
carolinaedco.com

Background

Carolina Education Collaboration asserts that education should cultivate academic skills, emotional self-awareness, communication, empathy, social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. Its core purpose is to re-envision Healthy Living using research-based methods that deliver meaningful, lasting social-emotional benefits.

While the current NC standard “Healthful Living” curriculum for middle school includes stress management, communication/refusal skills, SEL, physical fitness, nutrition, safety, substance abuse awareness, and dance/movement, there remain documented gaps.
carolinaedco.com

Specifically:

• There is limited longitudinal evidence that a single Healthful Living curriculum produces consistent, long-term wellness or SEL outcomes across diverse school populations.
  
  

• Teachers often report difficulty integrating deeper SEL frameworks into required instructional minutes.
  
  

In response to these gaps, and in alignment with CarolinaEDCO’s purpose of transforming Healthy Living into a research-based, socially meaningful experience, this project tests an expanded curriculum framework emphasizing:

• emotional/communication learning
  
  

• social interconnectedness
  
  

• environmental/land stewardship
  
  

The goal is to evaluate whether this framework improves student engagement, supports social-emotional growth, and fits feasibly into typical instructional structures.

Research Procedures

Orientation & Planning (Week 1)

• Meet with participating teachers.
  
  

• Distribute curriculum materials; review lesson objectives.
  
  

• Explain data collection procedures, confidentiality, and timeline.
  
  

Implementation Phase 1 (Weeks 2–3)

• Teachers deliver curriculum lessons during regular class periods.
  
  

• The researcher conducts observations focused on engagement, participation, and responsiveness.
  
  

Teacher Feedback Round 1 (Week 4)

• Teachers complete short surveys/interviews on lesson clarity, feasibility, engagement, and logistical needs.
  
  

Implementation Phase 2 (Weeks 5–6)

• Teachers continue lessons with small adjustments based on Feedback Round 1.
  
  

• Continued observations monitor engagement and classroom dynamics.
  
  

Student Feedback Collection (Week 7)

• Students complete anonymous surveys on learning experiences, engagement, and perceived relevance.
  
  

• No identifying information collected.
  
  

Data Compilation & Analysis (Week 8)

• Aggregate observation notes, teacher feedback, and student surveys.
  
  

• Identify engagement patterns, feasibility indicators, and perceived value.
  
  

Reporting (Week 9)

• Prepare a summary report for WCPSS and participating schools.
  
  

• Include findings, recommendations, and curriculum refinement suggestions.
  
  

Participants

Students:
Students enrolled in participating [grade level/subject] classes. Participation voluntary. Parent consent and student assent obtained as required.

Teachers:
Teachers of record. Participation voluntary.

Data Collection Methods & Confidentiality

Classroom Observations

• Non-intrusive; focus on engagement and general behavior.
  
  

• No identifiable data collected.
  
  

Teacher Feedback

• Brief surveys or interviews.
  
  

• Aggregated so individuals cannot be identified.
  
  

Student Surveys

• Anonymous and age-appropriate.
  
  

• Collect perceptions, engagement, and feedback on lesson relevance.
  
  

• No names or identifiers recorded.
  
  

Confidentiality & Security

• Electronic files are password-protected; physical files are locked.
  
  

• Final reports include only aggregated data.
  
  

• Participation voluntary; withdrawal permitted at any time.
  
  

Potential Risks and Benefits

Risks:
No anticipated risks beyond typical classroom activities.

Benefits:

• Students engage in a curriculum intentionally designed for meaningful, long-term social-emotional development, consistent with CarolinaEDCO’s purpose.
  
  

• Teachers gain early access to innovative instructional materials.
  
  

• Schools contribute to evidence-based improvement of Healthy Living options available to students.
  
  

Timeline Summary

Week

Activity

1: Orientation with teachers; distribute materials; review procedures

2–3: Implementation Phase 1 + observations

4: Teacher Feedback Round 1

5–6: Implementation Phase 2 + observations

7: Student Surveys (anonymous)

8: Data Compilation & Analysis

9: Final Reporting to WCPSS, schools, and teachers

Alignment with Carolina Education Collaboration Principles

This curriculum is deliberately shaped by CarolinaEDCO’s purpose: revising Healthy Living for a research-based, more meaningful experience that leaves long-lasting social-emotional effects on students.

Consistent with CarolinaEDCO’s mission, the curriculum:

• expands emotional and communication learning
  
  

• strengthens social interconnectedness
  
  

• incorporates environmental/land stewardship
  
  

• fosters whole-child development rooted in research and authenticity
  carolinaedco.com
  
  

This research project helps generate much-needed evidence about how such a holistic model performs in real classrooms — addressing longstanding limitations in traditional Healthful Living frameworks and supporting the development of emotionally literate, socially responsible, interconnected students.

Principal Outreach Email (Rewritten With CarolinaEDCO Purpose)

To:
Subject: Request to Conduct In-Class Research on New Healthy Living Curriculum

Dear 

I hope you are doing well. My name is Dr. Heather Emerson-Young, and I am reaching out to request your support in conducting brief, in-class research at [School Name] to pilot a newly developed Healthy Living curriculum for [grade level/subject].

This curriculum was created in partnership with principles from Carolina Education Collaboration (CarolinaEDCO), whose purpose is to revise Healthy Living into a research-based, more meaningful learning experience that produces long-lasting social-emotional effects for students. The lessons integrate emotional skill-building, communication practices, social interconnectedness, and environmental awareness to support whole-child development.

Purpose of the Project

The goal of this research is to evaluate:

• student engagement,
  
  

• instructional feasibility for teachers, and
  
  

• The curriculum has the potential to enhance social-emotional learning in ways aligned with CarolinaEDCO’s mission.
  
  

Feedback from both students and teachers will guide refinement before possible broader implementation across Wake County Public Schools.

How the Research Works

If approved, the study will include:

• Curriculum lessons delivered by the teacher during regular class time
  
  

• Non-intrusive classroom observations by the researcher (no identifiable student data collected)
  
  

• Short teacher surveys or optional brief interviews
  
  

• Anonymous, age-appropriate student surveys at the end of the unit
  
  

All participation is voluntary, and student assent/parental consent will be obtained following WCPSS guidelines. No academic records, grades, names, or identifying information will be collected at any point.

Why This Matters

This research supports:

• Enhancing Healthy Living through a research-backed SEL approach
  
  

• meaningful learning experiences tied to long-term well-being
  
  

• opportunities for teachers to shape curriculum development
  
  

• alignment with district priorities around whole-child and SEL-centered education
  
  

At the conclusion of the project, I will share a brief summary report highlighting findings and recommendations.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with [School Name]. If you approve the project, I will immediately coordinate with the appropriate teachers to begin scheduling. I am also happy to meet with you or your staff to answer any questions.

Thank you for considering this request. I appreciate your time and commitment to students.

Warmly,
DR. Heather Emerson-Young
Heather.emerson12@gmail.com

Parent/Guardian Consent Form

(For Participation in Classroom Curriculum Research)**

Project Title: Evaluation of a New Healthy Living Curriculum
Researcher: Dr. Heather Emerson-Young
Contact: Heather.emerson12@gmail.com

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child’s class has the opportunity to participate in a research study evaluating a new Healthy Living curriculum. This curriculum is designed in alignment with Carolina Education Collaboration (CarolinaEDCO), whose purpose is to revise Healthy Living into a research-based, more meaningful learning experience that promotes long-lasting social-emotional growth in students.

Please read the information below and decide whether you allow your child to participate in the student survey portion of this project.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to learn how students respond to a new curriculum that emphasizes:

• emotional and communication skills
  
  

• social connectedness
  
  

• responsible decision-making
  
  

• environmental awareness
  
  

• whole-child well-being
  
  

This research will help improve future Healthy Living instruction for students across the district and ensure it reflects the mission of CarolinaEDCO: creating meaningful, socially and emotionally beneficial learning experiences.

What Your Child Will Be Asked to Do

Teachers will deliver the lessons during regular class periods. At the end of the unit:

• Your child will be invited to complete a short, anonymous survey about their learning experience.
  
  

• The survey will take approximately 10 minutes.
  
  

• Questions will ask about their engagement, understanding, and opinions about the activities.
  
  

• No names, grades, or personal identifying information will be collected.
  
  

Your child will not be interviewed, tested, photographed, recorded, or individually assessed.

Voluntary Participation

Participation is completely voluntary.
Your child may choose not to participate or may skip any question.
Choosing not to participate will not affect your child’s grades, standing, services, or relationship with their school in any way.

Confidentiality

• Surveys are anonymous.
  
  

• No student names, IDs, or academic records will be requested.
  
  

• All survey results will be combined and reported only in group form.
  
  

• No individual student will be identifiable in any report.
  
  

All data will be stored securely by the researcher.

Benefits

While there is no direct reward for participation, your child may benefit from:

• engaging, meaningful Healthy Living lessons designed to strengthen communication, emotional awareness, and social skills
  
  

• participating in a curriculum aligned with the purpose of CarolinaEDCO, which emphasizes long-lasting positive social-emotional effects
  
  

• contributing feedback that helps improve future instruction for other students
  
  

Schools and teachers may benefit from research-based data that supports more effective Healthy Living curricula.

Risks

There are no expected risks beyond those of normal classroom activities.

Questions or Concerns?

Please contact:
Dr. Heather Emerson-Young
Heather.emerson12@gmail.com

You may also contact the WCPSS Research Review Office with any concerns about your rights or participation in research.

Consent Statement

Please check one and return to your child’s teacher:

☐ YES, I give permission for my child to participate in the anonymous student survey for this research project.
☐ NO, I do not give permission.

Student Name: ______________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________
Date: ___________________