Our Impact
How We Make a Difference
Diagnosing Discipline Disparities
A district with a long history of inequity created a program to raise achievement among African American boys. Was it working?
New Tests, New Questions
New teacher evaluations include state test scores, raising questions about fairness for teachers in non-tested grades and subjects. What happens when teachers create those assessments? SDP partners in Delaware found out.
Measuring Summer Melt in Ft. Worth
Too many high-school graduates get accepted to college but never enroll. How one SDP district sought to change that.
Charting a Course for School Turnarounds in Boston
A group of “turnaround” schools needed goals and a plan to improve—fast. How could their district put their data to work?
Designing a New Teacher Evaluation System in Albuquerque
What does it take to build trusted new teacher evaluation systems?
Improving Career and Technical Education Policy in New York
For career and technical education programs, success is measured by the number of students employed after graduation. Is that the right goal?
Improving Student Perceptions in Baltimore
Students’ perceptions of their teachers and schools matter, but how can we tell what they think?
Keeping Pace with Early Expectations
Early reading skills are a key predictor of student success. How three agencies used data to tell whether very young children are on track.
Looking for Early Warning Signs in Los Angeles High Schools
A test for 9th graders was used to identify which students would need extra help. But was it correctly identifying them?
Staying On Track and On Time for Graduation in Passaic
As far back as elementary school, some students are already less likely to graduate high school on time. How can we keep them on track?
Fact-Checking Criticism for Charters in Atlanta
Critics say it’s unfair to compare charters to traditional public schools nearby, because they don’t serve the same students. Is that true?
Putting New Performance Ratings to Use
Teacher-evaluation systems can show which teachers have the biggest impact. How can we use those insights to improve learning for students?