District Leadership On-Demand Research Library

The District Leadership Forum‘s on-demand research team conducts short-answer, tailored research projects on the full range of issues and initiatives district leaders are tackling. Our goal is to answer the specific questions you have and to provide you with information to make better decisions as quickly as possible. Completed reports are blinded and shared with the entire partnership here in the on-demand research library.

Using the menu above, you can find a full list of the forum’s completed on-demand research projects organized by category.

We’d love to help your leadership team address their pressing concerns. Contact your dedicated advisor if you have requests for on-demand research.

Instruction and Academic Programming for the General Student Population

Research Report

Primary (K-2) Gifted and Talented Programs

This report explores districts’ primary (K-2) gifted and talented programs. Learn about districts' early identification methods, delivery of…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Effective Practices for Aligning Pre-K Through Third Grade

Aligned P-3 learning programs can narrow achievement gaps and reduce the potential for learning loss within and between…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Promote Algebra I Student Success

This report explores how to promote Algebra I student success with a focus on course structure, instructional practices…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

A Comparison of Grading Policies at the High School Level During COVID-19

EAB researchers identified publicly available information on high school grading policies during COVID-19 from districts in the Washington…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Early Childhood Education Programs

Districts operate early childhood education (ECE) programs to serve students and their families before they reach kindergarten. This…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Establishing Career Academies

Adopting a Career Academy model, which aligns high school curricula with career themes and creates a more personalized…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Project-Based Learning

Implement project-based learning to provide students with an opportunity to conduct in-depth exploration of course topics through applied…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Differentiating K-12 Instruction for Students at All Levels of Ability

In differentiated instruction, teachers adjust curriculum and content delivery to optimize learning for all students within a general…

District Leadership Forum

Instruction and Academic Programming for Special Student Populations

Research Report

Building Inclusive Classrooms for Special Education Students

Inclusive practices benefit not just special education students, but also the broader school community by increasing academic achievement…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Universal Design for Learning and Other Inclusive Practices

Rooted in the idea that students learn differently, universal design for learning (UDL) is a teaching and learning…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Supporting English Language Learners in Low-Incidence Districts

At a low-incidence district, English language learners (ELLs) make up 5% or less than the total student body.…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Establishing Postsecondary Transition Programs for Students with Disabilities

Research shows that robust, effective transition programs can greatly help students with disabilities obtain competitive employment after high…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Maximizing the Paraprofessional Role

Research literature demonstrates that an over-dependence on paraprofessionals may negatively impact students’ growth, both socially and academically. This…

District Leadership Forum

District Policies and Management

Research Report

Elementary School Grade Reconfiguration

At most public school districts, students attend elementary schools based on their neighborhood of residence. This report guides…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Middle School Grade Retention

Due to the ineffectiveness on student outcomes, districts should minimize retention rates—the practice of requiring a student to…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

The Impacts of School-Provided GPA and Advanced Course Limits on Admissions Decisions

How do GPA and advanced course limits influence higher ed institutions' admissions decisions? This report investigates how schools…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

District Program Evaluation

To increase staff engagement and promote a culture of continuous improvement, it is important to create a program…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Changing School Start Times

Districts choose to change school start times for a variety of reasons—the most common reasons we found were…

District Leadership Forum

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Research Report

Increasing Equity in Accelerated Math Pathways in Middle School

This report explores strategies used by districts that altered their middle school accelerated math pathways to improve equity…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Increasing Teacher Diversity

Even as diversity increases among the student population, many school districts struggle to hire diverse teachers. This report…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Strategies to Engage Parents and Guardians at School Districts

District administrators should listen to the needs of and work together with parents to cultivate partnerships to support…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Strategies to Gain Support for District Equity Initiatives

Demonstrated commitment from district leadership generates district-wide engagement with equity initiatives. This report explores considerations for implementing a…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

The Value of Diverse Schools

Studies continuously document minority students’ academic improvements when they attend schools with majority peers. However, recent literature increasingly…

District Leadership Forum

Student Support

Research Report

Approaches to Tier II Support in High Schools

This research brief analyzes strategies used by four districts to provide Tier II support to high school students.

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Benchmarking Large Districts’ Student Support Services

This report explores large districts’ (60,000-300,000 students) strategies for supporting their students’ mental and behavioral health needs. It…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Preventing and Addressing Cyberbullying in K-12 Schools

Research indicates effective cyberbullying policies include a definition, communication plan, training and preventive education, response procedures, and counseling…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Early Warning Systems in K-12

To prevent dropout and boost graduation rates, district administrators can use early warning systems to proactively identify and…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Increasing Retention in Online High Schools

In the U.S., K-12 students are increasingly enrolling in full-time online learning schools, which operate in 39 states.…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

High School Advisory Programs

This research explores how high schools design and implement high school advisory programs to build relationships, promote student…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Integrated Academic Support Time

Integrated academic support time grants students access to academic support services without the barriers associated with access before…

District Leadership Forum

Teacher Recruitment, Development, and Evaluation

Research Report

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

This research brief outlines strategies used by six public school districts to increase teacher recruitment and boost teacher…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Components of Successful Teacher Induction Programs

This report profiles new teacher induction programs at four K-12 school districts. We've outlined strategies for induction program…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Professional Learning Communities

A professional learning community (PLC) is an ongoing process in which teachers collaborate to complete cycles of inquiry…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

New Teacher Mentorship Programs

Offering robust induction programs that incorporate a range of services including mentorship can improve teacher retention rates. The…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Maximizing the Effectiveness of Instructional Coaches

Instructional coaches can provide skill development to all teachers and facilitate collaborative solution-sourcing. This report explores how to…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Preparing Teachers for Effective Block Schedule Implementation

Preparing teachers for effective block schedule implementation is aided by professional development, classroom observations, and student outcomes data.

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Performance-Based Teacher Compensation Systems

This report assesses the components of performance-based compensation systems used by six profiled school districts. Our researchers also…

District Leadership Forum

Technology

Research Report

The Impact of Education Technology Use on Elementary and Middle School Students

District leaders should download this report for assistance in evaluating effective uses and understanding the impact of education…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Technology Product Management Models

Technology product mismanagement can cost districts hundreds of thousands of dollars. This report profiles and compares technology product…

District Technology Leadership Forum

Research Report

1:1 Computing Programs

1:1 programs prepare students for online tests, increase technological literacy, and support pedagogical initiatives. This report explores 1:1…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Mitigating Technology Overuse Among Elementary School Students

Research suggests that technology overuse correlates with health problems such as childhood obesity and social and behavioral problems.…

District Leadership Forum

Research Report

Developing Effective and Affordable Break/Fix Policies

1:1 technology initiatives can impose large financial burdens on school districts. This report profiles fee-free policies and other…

District Technology Leadership Forum

Research Report

Student-Centered Classroom Design and Technology

Administrators can greatly improve a student’s progress by moving them from an ineffective learning space to a highly…

District Leadership Forum

 

Have other questions?

If you have any questions or resource requests for your district that you think EAB could help with, please contact your dedicated advisor.