https://mathematica.org/our-focus-areas/human-services/educationMathematica uses data science, social science, and technology to help people, communities, and organizations around the world improve public well-being.enMathematica Policy Research. All rights reserved. 2014https://mathematica.org/-/media/internet/logo.png?h=68&w=208https://mathematica.org/our-focus-areas/human-services/education60{997C928B-4DE8-48A4-9360-58247655897A}https://www.mathematica.org/en/news/modernizing-ies-to-improve-education-outcomes-nationwideAs the Institute of Education Sciences reexamines how best to generate and apply evidence that improves education outcomes nationwide, Mathematica shared recommendations to help the agency strengthen the relevance, timeliness, and impact of its research, evaluation, and dissemination efforts.Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 Z{529DAD54-68CF-4F70-AAAD-92F89D6034D2}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/public-investments-in-early-childhood-educationThis brief shares findings from a benefit-cost analysis to determine the economic value of a pioneering initiative to address pay gaps between child care and early education educators and K-12 teachers.Tue, 19 Nov 2024 22:52:00 Z{41559EA2-3040-4D3B-BFA3-DBCF7C33981E}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/mathematical-learning-progressions-a-study-of-teachers-content-adaptations-and-alignmentThis study examines whether teachers’ content adaptations to middle school math curricula align with mathematical learning progressions and explores their motivations for adaptation.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:17:00 Z{8B020C37-6C32-4705-855E-9A8FE7F654D5}https://www.mathematica.org/en/news/vote-to-see-mathematica-on-the-stage-at-sxsw-edu-2025PanelPicker® Community Voting for SXSW EDU 2025 is now open. Mathematica and its partners are featured in six proposals. Give each of our presentations a thumbs-up by August 18 to help get us on the stage!Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:16:00 Z{BF435AFB-1396-40C6-9DAA-A0C555AF5C1A}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/evaluation-of-departmentalized-instruction-in-elementary-schoolsThis study examined the experiences of 90 schools that either voluntarily switched to departmentalized instruction or continued teaching all subjects to a single class in 4th and 5th grades for two years beginning in fall 2019.Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:27:00 Z{D6B9E1C0-A073-4AEE-A698-8E9E21497D4A}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/navigating-the-gray-spaces-in-research-to-actionThis brief describes Mathematica’s experience engaging study participants in the research process for a study of middle school math curricula and instruction.Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 Z{7E691A0E-B48C-480A-BF16-0E70194C11DB}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/evaluation-of-the-networks-for-school-improvement-initiative-interim-summary-reportThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Networks for School Improvement (NSI) initiative supports networks of schools in using continuous improvement to improve outcomes for students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty. This report summarizes interim findings from an evaluation of the NSI initiative.Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:10:00 Z{3EE52676-6C8A-4E9E-9224-328C4829AED4}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/evaluation-of-the-networks-for-school-improvement-initiative-student-outcomes-interim-reportThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Networks for School Improvement initiative supports networks of schools using continuous improvement to improve outcomes for students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty. This report provides interim findings on the initiative’s impact on student outcomes.Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:46:00 Z{894C0879-CBA3-4D6A-A78F-71E1E20F5B99}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/ewing-marion-kauffman-school-year-10-and-11-impactsThis report evaluates the impact of the Ewing Marion Kauffman School on college enrollment and high school graduation, achievement, attendance, and suspensions.Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:52:00 Z{5DDBB05C-2932-47A3-81AE-D8B42A1D86F8}https://www.mathematica.org/en/news/mathematica-provides-input-to-senator-cassidy-on-child-literacyMathematica provided feedback on a report released by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on declining child literacy in the United States.Mon, 08 Apr 2024 22:44:46 Z{4D585E71-F19C-4969-8F89-03F8FF0703AC}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/assessing-the-validity-and-reliability-of-the-pennsylvania-school-climate-surveyThe Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE’s) Office for Safe Schools partnered with REL Mid-Atlantic to conduct a study analyzing the validity and reliability from PDE’s school climate survey for elementary school students.Mon, 01 Apr 2024 12:32:00 Z{F4B4D204-FF64-43B1-BAC4-7348A803CBFB}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/a-review-of-funder-instructions-and-grant-reviewer-practices-for-assessing-the-intellectual-meritThis report describes how reviewers assess scientific grant proposals. We find that while assessments of intellectual merit depend on the potential findings and the proposed approach, assessments of social impact tend to overlook how these outcomes will be attained.Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:30:00 Z{8DBE6C23-A241-4286-81F0-79151B2D4B18}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/seven-questions-to-consider-about-teacher-apprenticeship-programsThis infographic from the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Central includes seven questions states that are interested in implementing teacher apprenticeship programs might consider.Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:08:14 Z{3C306A02-A5E7-4C44-94B8-3E8694619D54}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/impacts-of-blended-learning-tutoring-models-on-math-achievement-after-covid-19This study measures the impact of high-dosage blended learning tutoring during the 2021–2022 school year. These blended models alternated individual online math practice with student tutoring in small groups provided by an in-person or remote tutor.Wed, 10 Jan 2024 18:57:00 Z{5F3E3B7C-1CF3-4A67-B325-69B31BFEA534}https://www.mathematica.org/en/news/mathematica-provides-comments-on-bipartisan-draft-esra-reauthorization-billMathematica provided comments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee regarding its draft bipartisan legislation called the Advancing Research in Education Act (AREA).Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:55:41 Z{FDDDFE4F-FA65-4FA8-8136-2F5BBC4F917D}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/maximizing-learning-across-investments-recommendations-for-fundersA set of recommendations to help funders structure a measurement and evaluation process that supports learning across a set of investments while balancing the priorities of the funder, the grantees, and the communities where research will take place.Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:26:00 Z{C54E51D4-3009-4D8B-8666-D410BEB2E5F0}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/a-road-map-for-building-evidence-that-drives-learning-and-improvementMathematica’s measurement and evaluation (M&E) approach and associated toolkit provide a road map for generating evidence about new or evolving solutions. This overview resource introduces four phases of evidence building and provides an illustrative example of this M&E approach in action. Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:49:00 Z{AB51D0C4-D1B7-4396-B051-E0A9E876FA9F}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/how-did-it-get-this-way-disentangling-the-sources-of-teacher-quality-gaps-through-agent-basedWe develop a novel simulation methodology to study the extent to which three interrelated processes—teacher attrition from the state teaching workforce, teacher mobility between teaching positions, and teacher hiring for open positions—contribute to “teacher quality gaps” (TQGs) between students of color and other students in K–12 public schools.Wed, 01 Nov 2023 19:18:00 Z{57969C11-7809-4D06-937F-022825D23159}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/practical-strategies-for-recruiting-districts-and-schools-for-education-impact-studiesRecruitment is an essential component of successful education research. This brief offers practical strategies to help researchers address common factors that may influence districts’ and schools’ ability and willingness to participate in research. Sun, 01 Oct 2023 12:22:00 Z{B9C3EF6E-48C9-480F-B2DD-364AC97004D2}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/long-term-impacts-of-kipp-middle-and-high-schools-on-college-enrollment-persistence-and-attainmentThis report presents the results of the second phase of a long-term tracking study that follows 2,066 students who applied to enter 21 oversubscribed KIPP middle schools through an admission lottery in 2008, 2009, or 2011.Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:32:00 Z{DD194A2E-AEC8-4F92-84E6-45C61040008A}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-affected-state-apprenticeship-systems-takeaways-from-eight-statesThis brief highlights key takeaways from virtual discussion groups in which apprenticeship administrators in eight states described how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their Registered Apprenticeship systems and how they and their apprenticeship partners responded to the pandemic. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:47:00 Z{ADB81C86-DB0D-43D7-B8B3-CC55DF604EB9}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/evaluation-of-tntps-turnaround-leadership-teams-strategy-2018-2022This report describes findings from an impact and implementation evaluation of TNTP’s Turnaround Leadership Teams Strategy (TLTS) funded under the U.S. Department of Education an Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:58:00 Z{2E1F588A-8862-4C04-B7C4-979A4776C6DD}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/how-individual-plans-of-study-can-support-students-college-and-career-readiness-and-successIndividual Plans of Study are education and career plans that are tailored to student interests and skills and help guide and focus their efforts throughout middle and high school. This REL Central infographic details how these plans can support students' college and career readiness and success.Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:18:00 Z{9665F5C5-BD15-4193-BEEC-13E4D267F4CE}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/lessons-learned-from-conducting-virtual-pre-k-class-observations-in-centers-and-family-child-careTo explore the practicality of conducting virtual pre-K observations, Mathematica, in partnership with Oregon’s Early Learning Division, and with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, conducted a pilot study of virtual observations using the Pre-K Classroom Assessment Scoring System. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:30:00 Z{99D057D4-ABC3-46CF-844A-F7AB9CF3FD11}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/changes-in-school-climate-during-covid-19-in-a-sample-of-pennsylvania-schoolsThe Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE’s) Office for Safe Schools partnered with REL Mid-Atlantic to conduct a study using data from PDE’s school climate survey. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:47:56 Z{198732A9-B7CF-443E-8F83-B996710313A5}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/using-automated-writing-feedback-tools-in-the-classroom-research-insights-for-tool-designersThe brief summarizes key implementation takeaways from studies of two automated writing feedback tools—Ecree and MI Write—in grade 7–11 English language arts classrooms during the 2021–2022 school year.Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:16:23 Z{486B5AD5-1FF8-4FF9-AE35-6A0EEC370A77}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/implementing-mi-write-in-the-classroomThe brief summarizes key implementation takeaways from a study of MI Write in grades 7 and 8 English language arts classrooms during the 2021–2022 school year and provides strategies for school and district leaders to support using MI Write.Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:00:59 Z{C17B2589-51C1-4229-B169-FB5A5E84DBC4}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/implementing-ecree-in-the-classroomThe brief summarizes key implementation takeaways from a study of Ecree in grade 8–11 English language arts classrooms during the 2021–2022 school year and provides strategies for school and district leaders to support using Ecree.Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:47:26 Z{6C576A7F-6ADB-4333-96A6-224BDEF7F79D}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/using-an-automated-writing-feedback-tool-insights-on-ecree-for-students-and-familiesThis brief aims to help middle and high school students and their families learn about Ecree, an automated feedback tool that supports student writing in the classroom. Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:22:07 Z{7AA7B993-5AAC-41DE-AEFE-0863F3C61D8D}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/teaching-and-learning-writing-with-ecree-insights-for-school-and-district-leadersThe brief summarizes the experiences of students and teachers who used Ecree in grade 8–11 English language arts classrooms during the 2021—2022 school year and provides strategies for school and district leaders to support using Ecree.Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:10:54 Z{D6A4DB3E-9554-4FEC-81EF-08C97B667965}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/examining-student-and-teacher-math-learning-lessons-from-three-summer-programsThis brief presents evidence on the effect three summer programs have on student math knowledge and explores participants’ perceptions and teacher learning during the programs. Thu, 20 Jul 2023 18:47:00 Z{83F173FF-C706-4044-A5E7-F42285CD14C0}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/study-methods-for-briefs-about-mi-write-research-findingsThis summary accompanies a series of briefs summarizing results of the MI Write study by providing more information on the study design, sample, data sources, measures, and analytic methods used to produce the findings reported in those briefs.Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:44:17 Z{F8F65B13-EB43-4075-A299-2DED1BEF27AC}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/study-methods-for-briefs-about-ecree-research-findingsThis summary accompanies a series of briefs summarizing results of the Ecree study by providing more information on the study design, sample, data sources, measures, and analytic methods used to produce the findings reported in those briefs.Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:37:44 Z{391C8C87-F52F-4B6D-B407-86CE69AFAAD1}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/testing-new-approaches-to-math-tutoring-lessons-from-eight-evaluationsThis brief presents results from evaluations of eight tutoring programs that piloted alternative tutoring approaches, such as virtual and group tutoring, among diverse groups of students in grades 4 through 10 during the 2021–2022 school year. Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:47:00 Z{55D15481-3649-481A-AE4D-0024279F73A0}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/selecting-and-supporting-math-tutoring-programs-recommendations-for-school-districtsExplore four recommendations school districts should consider when selecting tutoring programs and supporting their implementation.Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:46:00 Z{61216E67-D64C-4F2E-9DA3-276461D94001}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/naep-long-term-trend-reanalysisA reanalysis of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) long-term trend reading and math score changes from 2020 to 2023.Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:42:43 Z{7E33549E-B8E8-4CDE-8050-27D92DDF6F68}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/conducting-implementation-research-in-impact-studies-of-education-interventions-a-guideThis guide will help researchers examine implementation when studying the effectiveness of an education intervention so that the findings are better able to inform how the intervention can be used to improve student outcomes.Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:01:17 Z{6B229AD0-F3FC-445C-B2F1-5B7861B7E980}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/a-strong-case-for-rethinking-causal-inferenceIn this commentary, John Deke discusses recommendations from studies that examined mistakes arising from the misuse of statistical significance. He offers his own recommendations for avoiding these mistakes altogether by using BASIE, a framework for interpreting impact estimates from evaluations.Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:30:00 Z{5FACE09A-FEA5-4A9C-A3A0-F18EFF0CEDE8}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/outcomes-impacts-and-processes-a-framework-for-understanding-school-performanceThis framework offers an improved measurement strategy states and districts can implement to answer three critical questions about school performance: 1. How are students doing? 2. How much does the school contribute to how students are doing? and 3. What is happening in the school?Thu, 01 Jun 2023 15:06:00 Z{679B3EFA-1940-44E9-ADF3-636468D707E6}https://www.mathematica.org/en/news/mathematica-responds-to-senate-help-committee-rfi-on-esra-reauthorizationMathematica responded to a request for information from Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the HELP Committee, regarding reauthorization of the Education Sciences Reform Act.Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:00:00 Z{294E155C-E6E0-44B5-A874-A2D87BA210DA}https://www.mathematica.org/en/news/understanding-career-navigators-and-how-to-support-their-successIn collaboration with the Institute of Education Sciences for a study on career navigators, Mathematica explored the role of career navigators in adult education, the competencies needed for success, considerations for hiring and supporting them, and features of a promising model of training.Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:42:00 Z{CD14B891-3DEF-4E27-BE0F-5CCC9F6234D4}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/the-importance-of-schools-in-driving-childrens-applications-for-disability-benefitsThis paper explores the role how schools affect children’s applications to Supplemental Security Income by using variation in school virtual or in-person learning options during the 2020-21 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Tue, 28 Mar 2023 19:23:58 Z{505B1CB0-124E-4240-B4A8-FAB5A2895010}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/design-research-plan-templateThis tool was created for organizations that want to incorporate the needs and preferences of the communities they intend to reach into their program, practice, or product’s design. It is part of Mathematica’s suite of measurement and evaluation (M&E) tools.Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:40:00 Z{4B4CEFE1-12BD-4E7B-8DA3-F1DDBF716559}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/math-knowledge-gains-and-math-perceptions-among-participants-of-the-breakthrough-collaborativeThis study measures the math knowledge gains and math perceptions among eight-grade students who participated in an afterschool math tutoring pilot program. The study report is one in a series of six reports on math tutoring programs.Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:31:00 Z{9BF8A829-E1D8-45FA-8BF2-90495EF38E3A}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/impacts-of-cignition-group-tutoring-on-students-math-knowledge-and-perceptionsThis study measures the impact of a virtual group math tutoring program on fifth-grade students’ math knowledge achievement and perceptions about math. The study report is one in a series of six reports on math tutoring programs. Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:19:00 Z{450D3BC7-1793-47EE-91BD-83E62AA22C38}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/math-knowledge-impacts-and-math-perceptions-among-participants-in-the-blueprint-math-fellowsThis study measures the impact of a group tutoring program on the math knowledge achievement of middle school students, as well as the math perceptions of tutoring participants, at two predominantly Hispanic suburban middle schools. The study report is one in a series of six reports on math tutoring programs.Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:09:00 Z{51A0EE5C-2881-439D-BBF6-DB87866C5E87}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/measurement-and-evaluation-checklist-assess-for-early-evidence-of-success-phase-3Phase 3 of the Measurement and Evaluation Checklist guides users through the steps to conduct a small pilot study and demonstrate that a solution is associated with improved outcomes for students in a priority community.Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:20:00 Z{A649D060-8B71-4839-90CE-71055E700669}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/measurement-and-evaluation-checklist-refine-the-solution-phase-2Phase 2 of the Measurement and Evaluation Checklist guides users through the steps to refine a solution based on lessons learned during implementation. By following these steps, users will develop descriptive evidence that the refined solution was successfully implemented in a priority community. Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:00:00 Z{8F5EB4E9-173B-4869-A09F-AAEF0C1A8BFB}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/sample-size-guideThis guide is designed for funders and organizations implementing solutions with support from a research partner. It provides an overview of the sample size considerations for each of the evidence-building phases.Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:46:00 Z{840A68AF-3953-4693-8A01-5B711874883A}https://www.mathematica.org/en/publications/measurement-and-evaluation-checklist-validate-effectiveness-phase-4Phase 4 of the Measurement and Evaluation Checklist guides users through the steps to conduct a large pilot study and demonstrate with a high degree of confidence that a solution leads to improved outcomes for students in a priority community.Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:43:00 Z