IDEA Public Schools and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District received an Investing in Innovation federal grant to build the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Center for Teaching and Leading Excellence. The center aims to increase the supply of effective teachers and leaders serving students in both districts through new teacher and prospective leader training.

Using a rigorous design combining randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental approaches, SRI and its subcontractor, Copia Consulting, will analyze the impact of the RGV Center’s training on teacher retention, efficacy, job satisfaction, and student achievement. SRI will also assess the usefulness of the training from participants’ and administrators’ perspectives.

A variety of qualitative and quantitative methods will be used, including interviews and focus groups; teacher and teacher leader surveys; training observations; and secondary data analysis.