Our staff specialize in combining qualitative and quantitative research methods to conduct analysis on education policy. The ERC provides quality, timely reports designed to inform and assist with various stakeholders regarding policy decisions. The ERC has conducted policy analysis and impact evaluations for private and public agencies working to identify effectiveness and impact of policies, as well as areas to improve quality or efficiency of programs.
The ERC is researching what is and is not working for both students and teachers in our schools. Our research includes evaluating controversial programs, such as the influence and effect on academic achievement by charter schools in Texas. The ERC’s policy research also includes working with non-profit organization, United Way of Houston to assess the impact of United Way’s Urban Education Initiative on children and youth they serve in Houston, TX.
Funded by: International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
The Education Research Center (ERC) at Texas A&M conducted a literature review and curriculum document analysis of student collaborative practices in International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Collaboration is identified as an integrated part of learning components and assessment models across IB programmes.
For this study, ERC researchers:
- Conducted a best evidence synthesis of research on teaching and assessing student collaboration In K-12 settings,
- Analyzed IB curriculum documents for essential elements of collaborative practice, and
- Made recommendations for the enhancement of student collaboration in IB programmes.
Funded by: Texas A&M Department of Physics and Astronomy
During the fall of 2014, the ERC conducted an external evaluation of the Discover, Explore, and Enjoy Physics (DEEP) program at Texas A&M University. DEEP was established in 2012 by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M. The goal of the program is to enhance undergraduate and graduate students’ learning and research experience by incorporating active/service learning and teamwork. A key component of DEEP is to encourage undergraduate student participation in high-profile outreach activities, such as:
- The annual Texas A&M Physics and Engineering Festival.
- Fall and spring DEEP Showcases, and
- TAMU Physics Shows
under the guidance of DEEP graduate mentors from the Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Aerospace Engineering.
The evaluation addressed the following DEEP objectives:
- Increase undergraduate participants’ knowledge of physics and engineering concepts,
- Positively impact undergraduate student participants’ analytics and hands-on skills in conducting research,
- Enhance undergraduate student participants’ communication skills,
- Encourage undergraduate student participants’ teamwork skills,
- Improve graduate student participants’ leadership skills, and
- Increase graduate student participants’ team building skills.
Surveys and interviews were utilized with undergraduate students as well as graduate mentors to examine the impact of program activities on participants’ communication and teamwork skills.
Technical Reports
- Rollins, K. B., Franco-Fuenmayor, S. E., Padrón, Y. N., Waxman, H. C., Boriack, A. W., Barahona, E., Weber, N. D., & Widdison, Y. C.. (2014, November). Evaluation of United Way of Greater Houston Education Initiative. United Way of Greater Houston.
Journal Articles
- Kwok, A., De La Cruz, I., & Kwok, M.. (2024). Clinical teacher learning trajectory: Exploring field supervisor written feedback on clinical teacher pedagogy. American Education Research Journal.
Book Chapters
- Kandel-Cisco, B., Stillisano, J. R, Hostrup, J., Davis, T., & Waxman, H. C.. (In press). Implementing online testing in Texas schools. In T. Ganesh, T. Davis, J. R. Stillisano, & H. C. Waxman (Eds.), Technology use in multicultural settings. Charlotte, NC: Information Age.
- Waxman, H. C., Alford, B. L., & Brown, D. B.. (2012). Individualized instruction. In J. A. C. Hattie, E. M. Anderman (Eds.), International handbook of student achievement (pp. 405-407). New York: Routledge.
Media
- Backtalk: Where are the teachers of color? Getting cut out and lured away. October 28th, 2024. Phi Delta Kappan.
- Strengthening Early-Career Teachers: Effective Components of Teacher Induction Programs. February 6th, 2025. EdResearch for Action.
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