BLOG POSTS


Understanding Surprising Research Findings on School Attendance” by Co-Director Beth Vaade.
Students' academic achievement may be less strongly linked to actual school attendance than first thought. In this EdWeek blog, Vaade highlights new research findings from MEP that indicate family income, race/ethnicity, and parental education are more linked to achievement than the number of days of school students attend. The findings highlight the challenges district staff face as they work to improve attendance and address opportunity gaps. October 4, 2018


How Much Does Missing School Matter for Young Children?” by Co-Director Eric Grodsky.
In this EdWeek blog, Grodsky discusses research about inequalities among MMSD students related to their number of excused and unexcused absences. The research reveals that the type of absence—excused or unexcused—matters. Critically important are environmental and background factors. The findings raise serious considerations for researchers and policy makers to address as they seek to close opportunity or achievement gaps. October 1, 2018


Bringing Education Research Into the Public Sphere” by Program Manager, Dominique Bradley.
MEP engaged in its first public showcase of work and we reflect on how we can “peel back the lid” on our research in a collaborative and engaging way. May 21, 2018


No Surprises’ Policies Between School Districts and Universities: The Surprising Reality” by Co-Director Beth Vaade.
A school district leader shares the unexpected challenges of implementing a "no surprises" policy that worked for the district and the university. Sept. 28, 2017


Lessons Learned from Developing a ‘No Surprises’ Policy for Releasing Research Findings” by Program Manager Dominique Bradley.
No surprises for who? A partnership between a school district and a university shares the experience of crafting and implementing a "no surprises" policy. Sept. 25, 2017


The Benefits of Research-Practice Partnership Work” by Research Assistant Jaymes Pyne and Co-Director Beth Vaade.
Andrew Statz, MEP Steering Committee members and MMSD Executive Director of Research, Accountability & Data Use comments on the benefits and value of his local research-practice partnership. June 22, 2017


Can Kindergarten for 4-Year-Olds Help Close Equity Gaps?” by Program Manager Dominique Bradley and Co-Director Eric Grodsky.
A Madison-based research-practice partnership studies impacts of local 4K program. June 19, 2017


Boys working together