Research in and with communities is emerging as a strategy to make research matter for everyone involved. One key condition for successful research-practice partnerships is to develop strong relationships among project team members. Partners also need to develop meaningful research projects that can withstand unexpected changes in the research plan. This working document is intended to support researchers and practitioners as they consider how to foster relationships when planning to partner

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... then continue to strengthen their relationships as they conduct research together in schools. The working document may also be applicable to those responsible for making decisions about conducting research in K-12 Schools, post-secondary institutions, graduate students and others involved in research-practice partnerships. Three fictitious scenarios are provided to guide beginning conversations about some common issues and questions raised by researchers and practitioners related to developing research relationships when involved in K-12 school research. The purpose of the discussion questions presented at the end of each scenario is to facilitate conversations about research relationships.