Education Researcher, SRI Education
Sarah Dec is an education researcher with almost 10 years of experience working in education. Dec leads and contributes to research and technical assistance projects across a range of topics, including teaching quality, school and district reform, charter schools, classroom instruction, data use for decision-making, family engagement and advocacy and elementary learning. Dec has experience in collecting and analyzing qualitative data, conducting classroom observations, providing technical assistance and coaching to educators and staff, writing case studies, managing projects and building relationships with clients.
At SRI, Dec leads an evaluation of Rocketship Public Schools (RPS) as part of its Charter Schools Program grant. The study examines how expansion impacts the RPS school model and measures its impact on student outcomes. Dec also supports a project with Alpha Public Schools (Alpha) that examines how Alpha implements core elements of its model and how implementation impacts educator, teacher and student outcomes. Additionally, Dec serves as the senior project manager for the Regional Educational Laboratory Appalachia, one of 10 laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Education to support educators and policymakers with the use of research and evidence to improve learner outcomes.
Before joining SRI, Dec taught in elementary schools in Massachusetts, Georgia and American Samoa. Dec earned her EdM in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dec holds a BA in history from Davidson College. Dec is also a What Works Clearinghouse-certified reviewer for group design standards (version 4.1).
Key projects
- Regional Educational Laboratories (REL) Appalachia
- Evaluation of Rocketship Public School
- Evaluation of Alpha Public Schools
- Profiles of Selected Practices of Charter Schools, Charter Management Organizations, and Charter School Authorizers