Research will be key this school year as school and district leaders set priorities and decide where to invest resources during the continuing COVID outbreak.
Research into the impact of school closures on student achievement is of particular importance, says the Data Quality Campaign’s “Using Data to Understand What Works Research and the COVID-19 Crisis” report.
Educators will also need guidance on what interventions are needed to help students recover from the disruptions.
In Texas, for example, The Houston Education Research Consortium—a partnership of Rice University and 11 Houston-area school districts—supplies survey data to local government and nonprofits to identify community needs and allocate resources.
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The consortium has documented the impact of COVID-19 on employment, education, and physical and mental health for marginalized communities.
States and districts can use CARES Act funding to conduct research. The report suggests taking the following steps:
- Update partnership agreements that facilitate data sharing with researchers and other practitioners.
- Consult with research partners about planned interventions so the initiatives can be measured and assessed.
- Work with researchers to survey parents, students, and educators from all backgrounds, and use this information to guide additional research that informs policy and practice.
