The Role of Research Consortia Through the Eyes of Principals

• In Event: 46.086 - Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: 46.086-17 - Research Use and Stakeholder Engagement: Issues and Opportunities for Teacher and Administrator Use of Research

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand how principals access and use evidence produced by research consortia. I interviewed principals in Baltimore City Public Schools and Chicago Public Schools. Four major findings emerged: (1) principals use the evidence to inform practice and decision-making, (2) principals do not have many direct interactions with consortia researchers and do not see a pathway to connect with consortia researchers, (3) principals who knew about the research consortium in their district have positive perceptions of it, however some principals are skeptical of survey data regardless of the source, and (4) principals explained that consortia do address the evidence to practice gap, but did not see an opportunity to contribute to research design.

Author

• Taunya Wright Nesin, The Public Charter School Board