Research

BPE will be satisfied with nothing less than an extraordinary effect on Boston’s schools and system, especially for students least well served, and this requires constant study of what’s working and what is not. As BPE’s school-based work focuses on increasing students' learning, research projects provide data and context that shapes the course of action.

The research looks inward, measuring BPE’s own work to determine whether it makes a difference, as well as outward, at patterns and practices across the school system that suggest where current practices are strong and where change is needed.

How it works

In some cases, BPE works with outside experts to design and carry out studies. In other instances, the internal research team designs studies — such as annual surveys and focus groups with teachers — that helps monitor work over time. In recent years, BPE has also done large-scale studies on behalf of the district to review the effectiveness of supports for new teachers, the degree of alignment of professional development investments, and the impact of current systems for paying and advancing teachers.

Why it matters

Just as BPE supports schools to make data-based decisions about their work with students, the organization relies on research to direct the work where it will have the most impact. In a complex school system, finding cause and effect is not a simple task. Though it would be easier to make decisions based on assumptions or informal evidence, investments in research are what lead to the right strategies — the ones that, in the end, will have the most impact on schools, classrooms, and students.

Contact: Ila Deshmukh Towery, Director of Policy Analysis and Research, or Jennifer Amigone, Director of Data Analysis and Evaluation