Embedded Field-Based Experiences in Evaluation/Analysis While Improving External Research: Wake County and North Carolina State University

• In Event: 61.041 - Perspectives on University and School District Partnerships: Research, Evaluation, and Advanced Professional Learning

Abstract

This presentation will focus on a large school district's efforts to strengthen our connections with universities; specifically, the newly created graduate internship collaboration with North Carolina State University. The purpose of the graduate internship is for the student to gain a better understanding of the role and function of WCPSS’s Data and Accountability department and for the department to benefit from graduates student’s knowledge of the latest research, pedagogy, methodological advances, analysis techniques, and measurement issues. Furthermore, the presentation will address our efforts to improve WCPSS’ external research process by both improving our current practices and developing new research partnerships with universities. We will discuss systematic improvements made to this process and our efforts to improve the alignment of research requests to our district’s interest in order to improve the quality of research conducted within WCPSS and further efforts toward enhancing the use of data throughout our system.

Authors

• Colleen Graham Paeplow, Wake County Public School System

• Matthew A Lenard, Wake County Public School System

• Stephen R. Porter, North Carolina State University