Knowledge From the Field

Access concise summaries of the key findings and recommendations from research related to the Department of Education's Reform Goals and links to the full reports.

"Knowledge from the Field" enables funders to quickly identify research that can inform their grantmaking activities related to the Department of Education's (DOE) Reform Goals. Foundation Center staff have summarized the studies included in this resource and pulled out the key findings and recommendations identified by the reports' authors. For definitions of the goals and details on how they correspond to the Foundation Center criteria used to identify actual foundation grants related to these goals click here.

Each summary lists the report's title, publisher, author(s), publication month and year, area of DOE focus, a brief description, key findings and/or recommendations, funders(s), subject(s), and geographic focus. This resource is being updated weekly. If you would like to recommend a report for inclusion in this repository, e-mail Reina Mukai at rkm@foundationcenter.org.

Education Reform Goals

Other

Writing to Read: Evidence for How Writing Can Improve Reading

Alliance for Excellent Education
May 2010

Analyzes studies showing that writing about reading material enhances reading comprehension, writing instruction strengthens reading skills, and increased writing leads to improved reading. Outlines recommended writing practices and how to implement them.

Funder(s): Carnegie Corporation of New York

Lessons in Reading Reform: Finding What Works

Public Policy Institute of California
Betts, Julian R.; Cory Koedel; Andrew C. Zau
August 2010

Evaluates elements of reforms designed to improve reading scores among students identified as lagging behind, including extended-length English classes and school years. Considers the role of teachers' experience, lessons learned, and policy implications.

Funder(s): Donald Bren Foundation

Out of the Debate and Into the Schools

Boston Foundation
Therriault, Susan Bowles; Samantha Carney; Julia Casasanto; Allison Gruner Gandhi
May 2010

Explores how practices and strategies at pilot and charter schools with autonomy in governance, budget, staffing, professional development, scheduling, and curriculum and instruction lead to different outcomes from those at traditional public schools.

Funder(s): Boston Foundation

Adolescent Literacy Development in Out-of-School Time: A Practitioner's Guidebook

Carnegie Corporation of New York
Moje, Elizabeth Birr; Nicole Tysvaer
September 2009

A companion report to Carnegie's Time to Act, describes types of literacy support offered in afterschool, weekend, and summer programs. Outlines promising programs and practices, elements of success, and strategies for planning and implementation.

Funder(s): Carnegie Corporation of New York

Adolescent Literacy Programs: Costs of Implementation

Carnegie Corporation of New York
Levin, Henry M.; Doran Catlin; Alex Elson
September 2009

Reviews the literature on implementation of educational reforms and compares implementation processes and costs at schools that have adopted one of three literacy reforms. Includes recommendations for detailed resource planning and cost accounting.

Funder(s): Carnegie Corporation of New York

Opportunity in Hard Times: Building Out-of-School Time Learning Systems That Last

Wallace Foundation
April 2009

Highlights lessons and strategies on how cities can build and sustain high-quality OST programming, such as forging closer ties to schools, using new data systems to inform budget choices, and making the recession an opportunity to introduce bold changes.

Funder(s): Wallace Foundation

A Place to Grow and Learn: A Citywide Approach to Building and Sustaining Out-of-School Time Learning Opportunities

Wallace Foundation
February 2008

Drawing on lessons from five cities, offers "action elements" to help cities achieve widespread, sustainable improvements in out-of-school learning opportunities so that many more children benefit.

Funder(s): Wallace Foundation