Here’s a quick look at what's been keeping the Research Alliance team busy: Exploring School Safety. In recent years, the overall number of suspensions in NYC public schools has decreased dramatically, reflecting a districtwide push to reduce the use of suspensions. Understanding what happens when a school district actively works to reduce suspensions—and what practices enable schools to meet this goal while maintaining a safe environment—will require in-depth research. But there is a basic question that we can answer more immediately: Do NYC students generally feel safer in schools that issue fewer suspensions? The latest post in our Spotlight on NYC Schools series begins to explore the answer. Studying Culturally Relevant Education. A new report, sponsored by the New York State Education Department’s Workgroup to Improve Outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color, highlights a set of promising practices being used by schools in NYC and around the state. Among other strategies, the report focuses on culturally relevant education—a way of teaching that strives to empower students by incorporating their cultures, backgrounds, and experiences into the school environment and classroom activities. The report features findings and examples from the Research Alliance’s recent guides for educators. - Dr. James Kemple has organized the symposium “Strengthening Practice and Policy through University-District Partnerships: Embedding Evaluation in NYC's Pre-K for All.”
- Dr. Kemple has also organized, and will present as part of, the symposium “The Impact of Performance-Based School Closures in Four Cities.”
- Dr. Cheri Fancsali will participate in the panel “From Student School Assignment to After-School Programs and College Completion: How Three Research-Practice Partnerships Evaluate Local Conditions and Provide Support to Practitioners.”
Expanding our Research Team. We are accepting applications for a Junior Research Analyst (Technical). If you are interested in conducting rigorous, applied research focused on the nation's largest school district, we encourage you to apply! |
