Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We are excited to share that Three Way ISD is partnering with a doctoral candidate from East Texas A&M University on an educational research project called The SPARK Study. This study looks at how distractions affect students’ ability to do mental math and problem-solving. The goal is to help schools create better learning environments and support strategies for students.

Students who participate will simply play two short computer games designed to help the researcher understand how students think through math problems. All information collected is completely anonymous — the researcher will not receive names or any identifying information about your child.

For more information, please read the details below or contact Nurse Allison! 

If you would like your child to participate, please complete the attached consent form no later than December 18th.

Thank you for supporting opportunities that help us learn and grow!

The purpose of this form is to provide you with information to help to make the decision on whether to participate in this research study. Please read the information below and ask questions before you make a choice.

Who is doing this study?
Kelly M. Carrero, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA-TX and Kristen Bowman, M.S. are inviting you to take
part in a research study. Dr. Carrero is an associate professor in the Psychology & Special Education Department at East Texas A&M University in the Department of Psychology & Special Education. Kristen Bowman is a doctoral candidate at East Texas A&M University in the Department of Psychology & Special Education.

Why is this research being done?
Your child is invited to participate in a research study investigating how cognitive interference impacts mathematical problem-solving. The goal is to better understand how distractions or competing thoughts affect performance and explore strategies to improve learning outcomes for students.

Who can be in this study?
We are asking your child to be a part of this research study because s/he is currently in 2nd to 5th grade (ages 7 to 12) and receives educational services at a site that authorizes participation. To be eligible to be in this study, your child must be:

• able to independently use a computer mouse and keyboard within ease
• receiving math instruction on grade level OR no more than one grade level below their current grade level
• Able to see content presented on a computer screen with ease (students with corrective eyewear are welcome if their visual impairments are corrected to functional levels).
• 
  

What will I be asked to do?
Read this informed consent, consider the study, and sign if you give permission. If you agree to permit your child to be in this study, the following things will happen:

• Your child's teacher will complete a brief demographic survey about your child (e.g., age, grade, school, math achievement). No identifiable information will be collected by the research team.
• Your child will view a brief video about the study, their part in it, and their right to assent or withdrawal from the study. If and when your child indicates that they do not want to participate, they will be dismissed from the study without penalty.
• If your child assents to participate, they will view a brief informational video explaining the instructions of the task (which will be stated as "the rules of the game" in the video). Then your child will complete a series of mathematical tasks on a computer (no tablets or phones).

If you agree to permit your child to be in this study and your child assents to participate in this study, the computer-based task will be offered during non-instructional time, as identified by your child's teacher, and it will take your child approximately 10 minutes to complete.

What are the risks and benefits involved in this study?
This research involves minimal risks (risks that you may experience in everyday life even if you do not participate in this study). The information learned from this study will not directly benefit the participants, but may benefit children and math educators.

What about protecting my child's information?
This study is anonymous. The information collected from you, your child, and your child's teacher will not include any identifiers (like names, addresses, phone numbers, government issued numbers). Your child's identity will not be known by the research team to protect your child's confidentiality.

What will my child receive if s/he is in the study?
There is no monetary compensation for participation in this study, but your child may enjoy playing! 

Who can I contact with questions about the research? 
Dr. Kelly Carrero & Kristen Bowman are in charge of this research study. You may email Dr. Carrero at kelly.carrero@tamuc.edu or Kristen Bowman at Kris.bowman@tamuc.edu with questions at any time during the study.

Who can I contact about my rights as a research participant?
You may also call East Texas A&M University Institutional Review Board (IRB) with
questions or complaints about this study at irb@tamuc.edu. The IRB is a committee of faculty members, statisticians, researchers, community advocates, and others that ensures that a research study is ethical and that the rights of study participants are protected.

Consent and Permission of Parent or Legally Authorized Representative
The purposes, procedures, and risks of this research study have been explained to me. I have had a chance to read this form and ask questions about the study. Any questions I had have been answered to my satisfaction. A copy of this signed form will be given to me.