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For the Good of the City: Achieving Economic Opportutnity for All through the Octavius Catto Scholarshipo

 
Join RFA, Phase Two Advisory, and The Campaign for College Opportunity for a Conversation on Rethinking Placement Exams 
 

Colleges around the country are rethinking the ways that entering students are placed into first-year courses. These changes are often spurred by state policy reforms and, at times, lead to broader institutional changes to curriculum, pedagogy, advising, and infrastructure. These institutional changes can, in turn, have a substantial impact on student learning environments. 

How do institutions use state policy focused on a relatively narrow construct–course placement–and use it to catalyze broader change? This webinar will share insights from two studies examining placement reforms, one with a national lens and one focused on California. We will use the findings to understand the interplay between state policy contexts, institutional reform efforts, and individual practice.

Leading the conversation will be:

  • Kri Burkander, Senior Research Associate, Research for Action 
  • Melinda Karp, Founder, Phase Two Advisory 
  • Kate Callahan, Executive Director, Research for Action 
  • Vikash Reddy, Vice President of Research, The Campaign for College Opportunity 

 Use the link below to join us on June 18, 2024, at 3 pm ET.

 
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Relationships First in the School District of Philadelphia
 
In Memoriam: Judith Adamson
 

Judith A. Adamson, MBA, one of Research for Action’s founding members and its chief financial officer for more than 20 years, passed away on May 10, 2024. Judy was unyieldingly committed to nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia and provided her strategic finance and management expertise to build their capacity and amplify their impact. In addition to her long-term service to RFA, Judy served in finance roles at the Community Education Center, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and more recently, Children First (formerly Pennsylvania Citizens for Children and Youth) in finance roles. Use the link below to read more about Judith.

 
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Careers at RFA
 
Join Our Team
 

Join Research for Action in our mission to advance equity and justice in education. We're seeking a quantitative or mixed-methods Research Associate to join our team. As a Research Associate, you'll lead research projects, develop data collection tools, analyze data, and contribute to our collaborative work culture. Ideal candidates have strong methodological skills and a passion for social science and education research. We're also hiring a Visiting Research Analyst for a one-year position with potential for permanent conversion. This role supports multiple projects and offers opportunities to develop research skills.

 
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Latest Projects, Research, Policy & Analysis

 
 
Reimagining College Admissions
 
Reimagining College Admissions
 
Research for Action is partnering with the Lumina Foundation as part of its Great Admissions Redesign initiative. Over the next 16 months, RFA will gather, analyze, and disseminate information on designing and implementing innovative approaches in postsecondary admissions at the state, system, and institutional levels.
 
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Educational Opportunity Dashboard
 
Educational Opportunity Dashboard
 
Built with data from the federal Civil Rights Data Collection, this interactive tool from RFA allows users to compare disparities in access to educational opportunity for students in all 50 states and the nation. Visit the Dashboard to examine the data on your home state and review RFA’s reports about educational opportunity in the nation.
 
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Allegheny County Teach-in
 
 
Catto Scholarship Event
 
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Catto Scholarship event! It was a fantastic day filled with inspiring stories, engaging activities, and a celebration of educational opportunity and economic advancement. We captured some memorable moments, and we'd love for you to take a look at the highlights. View the event photos by clicking the button below. The Catto Scholarship event brought together students, educators, and community leaders to discuss the importance of equitable access to higher education and the transformative impact of the Catto Scholarship. The scholarship provides crucial support to students, helping them achieve their academic goals and build brighter futures. Stay tuned for research evaluating the initiative.
 
 
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Recent News

 
Relationships First in the School District of Philadelphia
 
Last year, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $3.97 million to the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), in partnership with Research for Action (RFA), through the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program. This EIR grant funds the implementation, scaling, and evaluation of Relationships First (RF). RF is a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and schoolwide restorative justice model that prioritizes racial equity, trauma-informed practice, buy-in (from youth and adults), and youth leadership. RF focuses on building relationships between K-12 students and adults in their school communities.
 
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Scaling Up a Multi-Tiered Schoolwide Restorative Approach
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research for Action Strengthens Leadership Team with New Appointments
 
Research for Action Strengthens Leadership Team with New Appointments
 
Kim Glassman and Dr. Suzanne Delap have joined RFA as research directors, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles. In addition, Dr. Alyn M. Turner has been named Interim Chief Research Officer.
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Stay connected with RFA for the latest updates, research insights, and educational initiatives. Follow us on social media to join the conversation, stay informed, and be part of our community.

 
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About RFA

 
Our Mission
 
Research for Action conducts research, evaluations, and technical assistance to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all learners.
 
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Our Work
 
Our researchers are experts in all areas of education research from preK-12 through postsecondary to workforce preparation and out-of-school time. 
 
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Stay up to date between issues. Visit the News & Events section of our website to explore the insightful articles, research highlights, and upcoming opportunities.
 
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