Research

Current articles on the most recent reports, studies, and research concerning education.

Is Education News Falling Off Front Pages?

Traditional news outlets aren't devoting much coverage to how the stimulus effort will effect American schools, a study finds. December 4, 2009

Study Casts Doubt on Strength of Charter Managers

A report tinged with controversy raises questions about whether charter groups can 'scale up' schools as quickly as reformers are hoping. December 3, 2009

IES to Evaluate Programs Launched Under Stimulus

Researchers will study initiatives funded by the law’s $10 billion in competitive grant programs. November 30, 2009

New Head of U.S. Research Agency Aims for Relevance

Reflecting his on-the-ground experience, the new director of the Institute of Education Sciences wants studies that are useful to the field. November 30, 2009

Majoring in Math Not Always a Classroom Plus

The evidence, experts say, does not show a link between teachers who majored in math and higher student achievement, especially before high school. Updated: December 1, 2009

News Briefs

Teacher Education

A new report documents growth in "practice-based" teacher education programs in Massachusetts and makes recommendations on next steps to support them. December 1, 2009

Early Childhood

One new report looks at early-childhood advisory councils in 19 states as required by Head Start and another researches New Mexico's prekindergarten program. December 1, 2009

Community Colleges

A study of six Texas community colleges where higher-than-expected numbers of poor and first-generation students progress to four-year schools finds common threads among them. December 1, 2009

Online Learning

More than half of U.S. states now operate online-learning initiatives for K-12 students, an increase over the 15 states that did so just two years ago. December 1, 2009

Dropout Costs Priced for 50 Major U.S. Cities

If half the students who dropped out of the class of 2008 had graduated, they would have generated $4.1 billion more in wages, according to a new analysis. November 25, 2009

Stereotype Awareness

November 17, 2009

More News Briefs

Science Behind Therapies Said to Be Shaky

Most warn parents away from experimental treatments, but even so, studies have found that up to three-quarters of families with children who have autism try at least some alternative therapies. November 24, 2009, MCT

Alternative Autism Therapies Found to Be Risky

After reviewing court documents and scientific studies, and interviewing top researchers, the Chicago Tribune found that many treatments amount to uncontrolled experiments on vulnerable children. November 24, 2009, MCT

States Said to Be Progressing on Data Systems

A new report finds that 44 states, up from 21 in 2005, have built systems that can track students’ progress over time. Updated: December 1, 2009

Study Finds NCLB Law Lifted Math Scores

Researchers found large gains in math scores for 4th graders and moderate ones for 8th graders, but no similar evidence for reading achievement. Updated: December 1, 2009

Commentary

Cellphones in Schools: Flip ’Em Open

With online cheating growing and the use of mobile devices a way of life for students, schools cannot continue to operate as if nothing is changing, writes Matt Levinson. November 20, 2009

U.N. Says More Children in School and Fewer Dying

November 19, 2009, AP

Anti-Violence Program Targets Chicago Boys

Two community groups will offer counseling and sports while University of Chicago researchers study whether this approach helps curb violence. Updated: November 30, 2009

Scholars: Parent-School Ties Should Shift in Teen Years

Adolescents’ needs have been overlooked by researchers and policymakers intent on boosting parental engagement, a new book concludes. November 17, 2009

Study of Harlem Children's Zone Finds Gaps Closing

But study does not say whether improved performance is from schools alone, or from schools and wrap-around services. November 17, 2009

Test Scores Rise for Students With Disabilities

Updated: December 1, 2009

Half of States Now Offer Online-Learning Programs

November 16, 2009

Education Department to Demand School Pay Data

November 16, 2009

Ohio Professor Tallies Unofficial Chinese Schools

November 16, 2009, AP

Study of Harlem Children's Zone Finds Gaps Closing

November 12, 2009