Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 5.03 Education
Presentation #1 Title
An Overview of the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratory – Appalachia: Research and Technical Assistance Agendas
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The Regional Educational Laboratory – Appalachia (REL AP), funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, provides education research and technical assistance in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and will discuss its research and technical assistance plans for 2014. This presentation will focus on REL AP’s research and technical assistance activities in the region. REL AP is working with several rural-based research alliances across our states as part of a regional research agenda focusing on the improvement of college and career readiness of students, and supporting schools and districts dealing with challenges such as high staff turnover. In 2014, REL AP will also focus on student engagement, leadership concerns in rural schools, and the use of data to inform instruction. This work will entail a series of descriptive studies, survey development, developing predictors of school withdrawal using existing data sources, and qualitative inquiry. Studies will, for example, investigate staff turnover patterns in rural schools, as well as different types of college and career readiness opportunities in rural settings. Attention will be paid to different rural circumstances so as to not homogenize different schools into one overly broad category. Our research agenda was established via input from our research alliances, which are primarily partnerships between REL AP and local education agencies, although state education agencies also support our efforts. The presentation will summarize plans with the intent of informing the audience about our activities and soliciting feedback on our practices.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
John Hitchcock is an associate professor of Instructional Systems Technology in the School of Education at Indiana University. He is the Research Director for the Regional Educational Laboratory – Appalachia and the Director of the Center for Education Evaluation and Policy.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Lydotta M. Taylor is the President of The EdVenture Group, where she specializes in change management, leadership, and 21st century skills.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Jerry Johnson is an associate professor in the College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida, where he teaches courses in organizational leadership and research methods.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Kellie Kim is a project manager at CNA and leads technical assistance efforts for the lab.
An Overview of the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratory – Appalachia: Research and Technical Assistance Agendas
Smith Music Hall 112
The Regional Educational Laboratory – Appalachia (REL AP), funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, provides education research and technical assistance in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and will discuss its research and technical assistance plans for 2014. This presentation will focus on REL AP’s research and technical assistance activities in the region. REL AP is working with several rural-based research alliances across our states as part of a regional research agenda focusing on the improvement of college and career readiness of students, and supporting schools and districts dealing with challenges such as high staff turnover. In 2014, REL AP will also focus on student engagement, leadership concerns in rural schools, and the use of data to inform instruction. This work will entail a series of descriptive studies, survey development, developing predictors of school withdrawal using existing data sources, and qualitative inquiry. Studies will, for example, investigate staff turnover patterns in rural schools, as well as different types of college and career readiness opportunities in rural settings. Attention will be paid to different rural circumstances so as to not homogenize different schools into one overly broad category. Our research agenda was established via input from our research alliances, which are primarily partnerships between REL AP and local education agencies, although state education agencies also support our efforts. The presentation will summarize plans with the intent of informing the audience about our activities and soliciting feedback on our practices.
