Puzzling Positionalities: A New Role for Researchers in Continuous Improvement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: The Evolving Landscape of Improvement: Theorizing for the Future of Improvement in Education

Abstract

We propose a new role for researchers in continuous improvement. Drawing from a framework of developmental evaluation, we explore the following through a case study of two NICs within a district-university partnership: : 1) How can we reposition the role of the researcher in a NIC to “improve” the work of continuous improvement? 2) What key decisions do researchers need to make in this new role to support the NIC? 3) Is there a demonstrated impact or change in the NIC as a result of the new role of the researcher? We find that the new role did lead to changes in how NIC leaders supported the continuous improvement process, but surfaced a series of dilemmas that researchers needed to manage.

Author

• Christine M. Neumerski, University of Maryland