Research and Evaluation Team
at the Center for Collaborative Education

Provides services in educational research and program evaluation for organizations engaged in public education

Sample of Recent Projects

Building Quality Performance Assessments Initiative
Rosann Tung, Research Director
Laurie Gagnon, Senior Research Associate
Funder:  Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Since fall 2008, CCE has partnered with the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF) to pursue the development of a technically sound cross-school performance assessment system that is scalable and replicable. In September 2009, after a research and planning year, CCE launched a cohort of 12 Massachusetts public schools to design, field-test, and document technically sound common performance assessment tasks and local assessment systems. The goals of this initiative are to demonstrate the potential use of performance assessment as part of a balanced student assessment system and to influence state education policy on student accountability as the state considers the benefits of expanding and strengthening the current MCAS.

The Role of Performance Assessments in Shaping Graduates’ Academic, Professional, and Personal Outcomes
Laurie Gagnon, Senior Research Associate
Funder:  Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Based on in-depth interviews with graduates from three Boston Public Schools with well-established performance-based assessment systems, the study analyzes graduates’ preparation for future academic, professional, and personal endeavors. Graduates describe the process of learning from performance assessment, the ways their learning prepared them for future schooling or work, and the areas in which they faced challenges. Overall, the study schools’ performance assessment systems, which were situated within a supportive school culture, contributed to graduates’ success in college and in the world of work. Performance assessments helped study participants to discover their own learning styles, to master academic content and skills, and to develop critical thinking, communication, and real world skills. Despite a few challenge areas, the benefits of performance assessment learning offer important lessons for schools who aim to improve the educational experience for all students. The perspectives of graduates offer a valuable source of understanding for educators and policy-makers on how to ensure high quality educational pathways for all students.

High School Success Project
Pamela Stazesky, Senior Research Associate
Funder:  AT&T Foundation

The High School Success Project, a four-year project begun in fall 2008 with funding from the AT&T Foundation, has a goal of reducing the dropout rate in three Boston Pilot or Commonwealth Pilot high schools by 50%. The research team works with CCE coaches and the three high schools to identify 9th grade students at risk of dropping out. The project is working with a software developer, Choice Solutions, to create an interactive system that will streamline the identification and ongoing monitoring process so school staff can focus on providing appropriate supports to decrease drop-out risk. CCE regularly convenes the three schools to share their best practices in high school retention and has plans to share with the BPS District.