Practical Research and Analytic Strategies for Smaller, Successful, or Non-Urban School Districts
For a variety of reasons, educational research, policy, and commentary often concentrates on large urban school districts. Yet, school districts educating 18,300 or fewer students account for approximately 96% of school districts, 66% of schools, and 58% of students in the United States. This disconnect potentially distorts research findings, skews educational reforms, and limits the applicability of educator preparation programs. In this presentation, Dr. Craig Hochbein will focus on “average” districts and schools by discussing three possibilities for practical research and data analysis: (1) Using the methods and preliminary results from our study of principals’ time usage, demonstrate the potential benefits of inviting researchers into your districts and schools to study problems of practice; (2) Offer examples of how partnerships, not just access, between researchers and practitioners could improve the operation and achievement of schools; (3) Provide several simple and practical examples of how district and school employees can enhance their analysis of data.This event is open to the public. Tickets are $65 and include a gourmet lunch.