School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction

SRI's education researchers evaluate the design, implementation, and impact of a variety of educational programs designed to improve pedagogy and content learning. These school improvement curriculum and instruction studies are conducted within specific subject areas such as mathematics, science, history, language arts, adult literacy, and arts education, or for specific curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate program.

Projects

teenage students in a classroom
Bridging the Divide: High School and College Dual Enrollment

SRI studied programs across several states that offer college enrollment to high school-age students, and recommended improvements.

Topics: Community College: Transitions School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success
students at computers in a classroom
Evaluation of CISE Pathways to Revitalized Undergraduate Computer Education

The National Science Foundation asked SRI to evaluate its program to transform undergraduate computing education on a national scale.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Community College: Transitions Higher Education + Workforce Development Learning Technologies School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
three teenage students working on a laboratory activity
Evaluation of the California Linked Learning District Initiative

SRI is examining the impact of this program that combines strong academics with real-world experience. Its goal: to help students build a strong foundation for success in college and careers—and life.

Topics: Community College: Transitions School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success
young girl holding up a paper marked with an A-plus
Evaluation of the California Subject Matter Projects

SRI has conducted surveys, case studies of programs in each of the nine projects, and quasi-experimental analyses of the effects of the CSMP on student achievement. Additionally SRI has provided technical support for sites’ local inquiry projects.

Topics: Evaluation Planning + Design School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction Teacher Quality + Learning
teacher helps young student read a book
Evaluation of the McKnight Foundation’s Education + Learning Program

SRI is evaluating the McKnight Foundation’s effort to improve the literacy achievement of pre–K through third grade students in the Twin Cities through pathways that integrate and enhance prekindergarten through third grade literacy education.

Topics: Case Studies in Education Early Childhood Educational Impact Evaluation Extant Data Analysis Implementation Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Teacher Quality + Learning
two teachers talking in a hallway
High School Leadership Initiative

Improving California high schools through leadership capacity building. SRI is evaluating an initiative that supports the development and implementation of leadership structures and practices associated with effective schools and positive student outcomes.

Topics: Case Studies in Education Evaluation Planning + Design Extant Data Analysis Implementation Evaluation School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction
teenage girl student doing her homework
Impact Evaluation of Michigan’s Striving Readers Program

SRI is evaluating the effectiveness of a program for struggling adolescent readers.

Topics: Educational Impact Evaluation Policy Analysis Reading, Writing + Humanities School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Special Education/Disability
Young male teacher smiling at camera with students behind him
Study of the Rio Grande Valley Center for Teaching and Leading Excellence

SRI is analyzing the impact of the Center's efforts to recruit, support, and train effective teachers in Texas.

Topics: School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Teacher Quality + Learning

Press Releases

Seventh-graders at laptop
Department of Education Funds Four-Year Research Evaluation of Mathematics Online Tutoring System

Research team to study seventh-grade mathematics students and teachers in more than 50 schools throughout Maine.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Out-of-School Learning Research on Learning School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
AP science class
National Science Foundation-funded Study to Examine if New AP Science Courses Advance Student Progress onto Science and Engineering Career Track

New research study will provide the first experimental evidence on the effects of high school students taking an inquiry-based AP science course and whether it impacts educational progress and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI International Study Shows Increased Middle School Mathematics Learning with Technology-Based Approach

SRI International has provided compelling evidence that SimCalc, a technology-enhanced mathematics program, has increased middle school students’ mathematics learning.

Topics: School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI International to Evaluate Effectiveness of Teacher Professional Development on Middle School Student Writing Performance

SRI International launched a four-year study to evaluate the effectiveness of teacher professional development middle school student writing performance, and will be conducted in collaboration with the National Writing Project (NWP).

Topics: School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction
two students working at a computer
SRI Report Compares the Global Use of Technology in Education

A new report from SRI International's Center for Technology in Learning compares the use of educational technology for K-12 students in 21 countries.

Topics: Early Childhood Higher Education + Workforce Development International Education Reform School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success

Publications

Contextualized Learning and Assessment

Contextualized instruction involves developing activities that involve students in applying knowledge in real-world situations, working on teams, reflecting on what they learned through an activity, and involves teachers in coaching more, which requires more formative assessment.

Topics: Assessment Design + Evaluation Community College: Transitions School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction
Meeting Student Challenges to Innovative Instruction with Improved Assessment Techniques

Presentation of an R&D project focused on the assessment of project-based learning involving community college instructors, and engagement in some of the reflection activities that helped instructors identify and measure the skills taught in innovative instruction.

Topics: Assessment Design + Evaluation Community College: Transitions Community College: Reform to Support Real-World Learning School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction Teacher Quality + Learning
Dual Enrollment: Lessons Learned on School‐Level Implementation

SRI studied programs across several states that offer college enrollment to high school-age students, and recommended improvements.

Topics: Community College: Transitions School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success
Landmark Study Analyzes California Arts Education (B-Roll)

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