Our expertise in school improvement research, combined with our Self-Study surveys and data analysis for middle schools and high schools, makes CPRD a leader in the field of school reform. CPRD also has extensive experience in evaluating the effectiveness of after-school programs and assessing community needs for after-school programming. In addition, CPRD is evaluating the experiences of schools implementing state-mandated social and emotional learning standards in the classroom.
Schools across the country are continually working to improve the educational experiences and success of students. In addition, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandates Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for all subgroups of students. At CPRD, we think the best way to ensure improvement is with an ongoing school improvement plan, which allows each school to use its own data to make decisions about the improvement process. Every school should be asking the questions "Why do some students do better than others?" and "How can we narrow the gap?"
To help with these questions, CPRD created the School Improvement Self-Study so middle schools and high schools could gather reliable data about their instructional and classroom practices and progress in order to improve the teaching and learning process. Our Self-Study surveys were tested and validated in over 1,000 schools across the country. Schools are taught to use the Self-Study to help examine their own achievement data by reviewing the underlying conditions, behaviors, and practices that influence achievement.
CPRD's analyses of state and regional Self-Study data-and our research on linking school reform practices and programs to achievement-have been widely disseminated in reports, journal articles, research chapters, and at state and national conferences, all in an effort to contribute to the field of school reform. We have published research on such topics as comprehensive school reform models, interdisciplinary teaming and classroom practices, teacher certification and professional development, school leadership, parent involvement. Click here to see some of our publications and presentations derived from Self-Study data.
Changes in family structure combined with pressure to address achievement gaps among youth have resulted in a greater focus on after-school programs. CPRD partners with organizations and schools serving youth in 21st CCLC after-school programs to evaluate program impacts. We help programs utilize their data beyond fulfilling basic funding requirements. These collaborative evaluations help administrators improve the quality of their programs and increase positive outcomes for the youth they serve.
For students to succeed in postsecondary education, they must be equipped with academic skills. Illinois Steps AHEAD, funded through the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, works to increase the number of low-income students who apply, are accepted to and succeed in college. The program provides after-school services to middle and high school students such as tutoring, career exploration, and college preparation activities. Supports for parents include college visits and financial planning workshops. CPRD is the research and evaluation partner and provides data collection and analysis services for the project. CPRD staff work closely with Illinois Steps AHEAD administrators to use the information collected for program improvement.
Illinois is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the social and emotional needs of children are recognized and addressed in schools. The Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership and Voices for Illinois Children are supporting professional development in the area of SEL to teachers and staff in schools throughout Illinois. CPRD is evaluating the early experiences of these schools as they put SEL practices into action. The information gained from this evaluation will be used to improve current and future SEL implementation efforts.
