This year, our researchers have made significant strides in addressing critical challenges in education. Through innovative studies and key initiatives, they’ve contributed valuable insights that are shaping policy, practice, and the future of learning. As we reflect on 2024, we celebrate the impact of this work and look forward to continuing our mission of empowering educators, students, and communities with evidence-based solutions. In this edition, we highlight key projects and share resources designed to support continued innovation and success in the year ahead.
Featured News
DaSy Contract Renewal – 5 More Years!
SRI Education has entered into a new cooperative agreement with the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education to continue leading the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (The DaSy Center) through 2029. Since 2013, DaSy has been a trusted partner to states, helping to improve data systems and outcomes for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities under IDEA. This renewal strengthens our efforts to advance family engagement, streamline data systems, and ensure every child with a disability receives the support they need. Read more in this article.
Career Development Opportunities in Los Angeles Unified School District
SRI Education received a four-year, $3.2 million grant from the federal Institute for Education Services (IES) to study career development opportunities in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). As part of the project, our researchers will investigate the range of high school career development in LAUSD, focusing on implementation, access, student experiences, and impact on school progression. This study will join the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Research Network 2.0, which seeks to increase the number of rigorous CTE studies and strengthen the capacity of the field to conduct and use CTE research. Read more on the Career and Technical Education 2.0 Research Network website.
New Findings and Research
Understanding the Impact of Extreme Weather on Educational Service
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, SRI Education researchers have released a first-of-its-kind study looking at the impacts of extreme weather on education-related services for young children. The study examined how severe weather impacted enrollment and services in Head Start and Early Head Start, the nation’s largest federally funded programs supporting young children’s education, nutrition, and families.
Are YouTube Videos Missing the Mark on Early Learning?
Our research shows most YouTube videos for early literacy and math lack characters and narratives that help kids engage and learn. While useful for busy parents, balancing YouTube with interactive educational TV and discussing content with children can enhance learning.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students and Staff: The Power of Pronouns
Creating inclusive schools begins with small actions, like using correct pronouns. SRI Education’s latest blog post from our Student Behavior program explores how thoughtful use of pronouns supports LGBTQIA+ students and staff, fostering a culture of care and respect. This is the second post of a three-part blog series devoted to supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff. (Read Part 1: “Glossary of Terms” here.) Stay tuned for the final post in the series, where we’ll share more resources on fostering affirming spaces.
Scaling and Sustaining the Impact of Open Educational Resources
Despite the clear benefits of open educational resources (OER), providers have learned over the past couple of decades that making something freely available online in no way guarantees its widespread use. This new blog post by The LEARN Network discusses key factors impacting the scaling and sustainability of OER content and shares insights from providers who have developed successful models for sharing and growing products and programs.
Practical Strategies to Support Online STEM Students: Insights from the Collaborative’s Fall 2024 Webinar
As students increasingly enroll in online postsecondary STEM courses, instructors and students need new strategies to bolster academic success, particularly for students systemically marginalized in STEM and higher education. In a November 14 webinar, researchers from the Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative shared insights from a study of technology-enabled instructional strategies designed to support student motivation and learning in online and hybrid settings.
The SRI Homeroom: Shaping the Future of Education, One Conversation at a Time
The SRI Homeroom podcast offers down-to-earth discussions on the most pressing issues facing America’s students, educators, and families, along with the work being done to address them. Each episode features interviews with some of the nation’s leading researchers, data experts, educators, and developers, sharing their insights and solutions.
New Publications and Resources
- Journal article by Elisa Garcia, Michelle Woodbridge, Carl Sumi, Patrick Thornton, and Jennifer Nakamura: Effects of the Tools for Getting Along Curriculum on Teachers’ Reports of Elementary Students’ Executive Functions, Social-Emotional Skills, and Behavior Problems
- Brief by Katie Woodworth: What the California Arts and Music in Schools Act Means for the Arts Teacher Workforce
- Brief by Margaret Gillis: Child Care and Early Education Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Future Considerations
- Brief by Patrik Lundh, Louise Yarnall, Erin Smith, Anandita Krishnamachari, and Rebecca Griffiths: How to Support Career Technical Instructors to Develop Students’ Professional Skills
- Journal article by Kirby Chow, Christen Park, and Todd Grindal: Implementation of a Comprehensive State Effort to Reduce Exclusionary Discipline in Early Care and Education Settings: Arkansas’s Policy
- Journal article by Sheresa Blanchard: When Being an Expert May Not Be Enough: Understanding the Experiences of Special Education Professionals Parenting Children with Disabilities
- Blog by Hannah Kelly, Michelle Woodbridge, and Sara Gracely: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students and Staff: Glossary of Terms
