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Resources
Parent Involvement in Education
This classic 1989 brief from researchers Kathleen Cotton and Karen Reed Wikelund remains widely cited and circulated more than 20 years after original publication.
Resources
Resources for Building Teacher-Student Relationships
A collection of blog posts, videos, education research, and websites to help teachers strengthen their relationships with all their students.
Resources
What All Teachers Should Know About Instruction For English Language Learners
Learn about the five key principles that all teachers should know about second-language acquisition and the academic challenges English learners face.
Resources
What Principals and Administrators Can Do To Ready Their Schools To Support Kindergarten Transitions
Ensure smooth transitions for all incoming kindergarten students and their families with recommendations in this white paper and "taking action" worksheet.
Resources
What the Research Says on Instruction for English Learners Across Subject Areas
English learners need to develop math and reading skills as well as their knowledge of social studies and science—even while learning English.
Resources
Youth Mentoring Program Planning and Design Resources
The following resources for planning, designing, and implementing a youth mentoring program were developed by our National Mentoring Center project.
Insights
Addressing the Teacher Shortage in Washington
To address the critical teacher shortage problem in Washington, state policymakers and district administrators are looking at “grow-your-own” teacher strategies, which seek to support current paraeducators interested in pursuing full certification.
Insights
Doing Right by Kids at the Intersection of Equity, Trauma-Informed Practice and SEL
Understanding how to integrate different approaches can go a long way toward helping students of color build a sense of belonging at school.
Insights
How Schools Can Get the Most From Youth Program Partnerships
Youth program partnerships can help districts and schools accomplish more than what they can do alone. How can you build your capacity to manage them?
Insights
Improving the Identification of Native Students at the University of Oregon
Guest Blogger Jason Younker writes on the challenges colleges face in identifying their American Indian and Alaska Native students and the solution that U of O developed to better serve the community.
Insights
Lessons from a Public Investment in Native Language Immersion Classrooms
Mandy Smoker Broaddus writes on how Montana is creating language-immersion elementary classrooms as one strategy to restore and revitalize Native languages.
Insights
New Curriculum Recognizes the History and Contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native People in Oregon
Mandy Smoker Broaddus writes about Oregon S.B. 13 as a way for tribal peoples to have their presence validated across the state and in classrooms.
Insights
Six Ways Principals Can Support the Transition to Kindergarten
Kindergarten transitions are important for children to succeed in school and later in life. What do principals need to know to help their youngest students thrive?
Insights
Creating a More Welcoming and Culturally Responsive School Community to Engage American Indian and Alaska Native Families
Culturally responsive systems are the key to improving outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native students in school and in life.
Insights
Trauma-Informed Strategies for Postsecondary Educators
Starting college can be stressful for all students but in particular for those who have experienced trauma. How can educators help?
Resources
ECMC Foundation Basic Needs Initiative Evaluation
The ECMC Foundation launched the Basic Needs Initiative in fall 2019. Through the three-year initiative, a group of seven grantees will receive funding and support to build systemic, sustainable solutions for meeting college students’ basic needs.
Resources
Harnessing State Longitudinal Data Systems to Assess Career and Technical Education Outcomes
States are developing comprehensive educational data systems that contain a wealth of student data spanning the pre-K, K-12, and postsecondary education systems.
Insights
Beyond Compliance: Using Perkins Data to Improve CTE
An expert shares how program-level CTE staff can use data they already collect to make programs more equitable and accessible.
Resources
Eliminating Disparities
This article in Principal Leadership examines the research on disparities in exclusionary discipline policies and practices.
Resources
Exploring Youth Voice and Youth-Adult Partnership
An effective and evidence-based way to improve schools, nonprofits, and government agencies is to make decisions in partnership with those being served. This six-page resource provides an overview and tips for educators and youth workers.
Resources
What the Research Says on Career Technical Education (CTE)
Our librarians recently compiled this list of the latest studies and resources that states, districts and schools can draw from to create and improve CTE programs.
General
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Case Briefs
Future Connect Evaluation
At Portland Community College (PCC), first-generation and low-income students can receive support to overcome those barriers through Future Connect, a scholarship and advising program.
Case Briefs
Oregon Career and Technical Education Programs of Study
CTE can be a powerful tool for preparing students for college and career success. High-quality programs deliver rigorous academic and technical coursework sequenced across high school and postsecondary education.
Case Briefs
Evergreen Equity Audit
Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) is in the process of a district-wide equity transformation. As part of this effort, EPS partnered with Education Northwest to conduct an equity audit.
Resources
Parent Guide for English Learners—English and Spanish versions
This guide provides basic information for families of English learners and helps you talk with your child’s school, ask the right questions, and support your child on their journey as an English learner.
Resources
How to Level Up Your Online Conferences
A well-designed virtual conference can be just as engaging and useful—or lackluster and uninspiring— as an in-person event. Here are some quick tips that can help you up your game immediately.
Case Briefs
Scaling Out-of-School Time STEM Programming: A National Scan
Out-of-school time (OST) programs offer critical opportunities for learning related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Insights
Who Controls Native Education?
Mandy Smoker Broaddus, Kellie Harry, and Sarah Pierce share reflections from the National Indian Education Association’s annual convention and its theme of Native Control of Native Education.
Insights
Stuart Ferguson Joins Education Northwest as Chief Financial Officer
Education Northwest announces new Chief Financial Officer, a leader in the education professional services field.
Insights
Native Language Revitalization: A Personal Journey Into Paiute Language and Culture
Kellie Harry is a senior advisor in Native and culturally responsive education and shares her personal story of learning her native Paiute language and advocating for its revitalization.
Insights
National Mentoring Month: The Power of Relationships
In honor of National Mentoring Month, we reflect on the important role mentors play (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic) and provides some mentoring-related resources.
Insights
Jessica Johnson to Lead Program and Business Development at Education Northwest
Jessica Johnson, a highly skilled and experienced leader in the education professional services field, is joining Education Northwest as Chief Program & Development Officer.
Insights
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Superintendents of Color in Oregon
Explore a 2022 report on the lived experiences of superintendents of color in Oregon.
Insights
Celebrating Twila Miner, 2021 Nelson Scholar
The Montana State University graduate student centers Native student experiences with financial aid in her work and research. Throughout her life, Twila Miner (Oglala Lakota) has found herself living in two worlds.
Case Briefs
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Tribal Curriculum Development
Oregon Senate Bill 13 (Tribal History/Shared History) provided funding to all nine federally recognized Tribes in the state to develop their own Tribally specific curriculum.
Insights
Supporting Rural Oregon Students in High School and Beyond
We collaborated with The Ford Family Foundation to study college outcomes for the 42 percent of Oregon’s high school students who attend a rural school.
Insights
Catherine Barbour Joins Education Northwest to Lead Equity-Driven School Improvement
Education Northwest’s new Director of School Improvement Systems, Catherine Barbour, helps low-performing schools get better—with equity at the forefront of the effort.
Insights
How Black Students Make Decisions About Their Futures
Black high school students face significant barriers to postsecondary success, including anti-Blackness. Destiny McLennan looks at how they make decisions about their futures despite the obstacles.
Insights
The PLC at Work in Arkansas Evaluation: Implementation, Impact, and Methodology
The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) invested in intensive supports for schools to build high-functioning professional learning communities using Solution Tree’s Professional PLC at Work® model.
Insights
Student Advocate Stephanie Malia Krauss Joins Education Northwest
Education Northwest welcomes our new senior fellow, Stephanie Krauss, who will support our work in youth development, workforce development, and alternative education.
Insights
The REDO Project: Changing the Culture of Multilingual Education in Idaho
Idaho’s Rural Endorsement Development Opportunities (REDO) Project gives teachers scholarships to learn how to support and advocate for the state’s English language learner students.
Insights
Identifying and Supporting Native Migratory Students
Accurate identification can help Native migratory students sustain important cultural practices while thriving in school.
Insights
Educating Youth for Careers: Are We Overprescribing the Pathway?
Approaches to career guidance have swung from focused study to broad experience and back again. So what’s the best way for students to find the work they really want to do?
Insights
Listening Is Key to Keeping Latinx Students in College
At the College of Southern Idaho, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Services Monze Stark leads a personalized approach to retention for Latinx and other students.
Insights
Reimagine Education Starting This Summer
When planning for summer programs, considering students’ full humanity, centering equity, and aiming for well-rounded programs will set students up for success.
Insights
Networks of Care: A Conversation About Conducting Trauma-Informed Work in Native Communities
Maegan Rides at the Door of the National Native Children’s Trauma Center spoke with Mandy Smoker Broaddus about making trauma-informed work culturally responsive.
Insights
It’s On Adults to Make Space for Youth Voice
It’s past time that adults take action to promote youth voice. Here are some ways to get started.
Insights
Experience Matters: Scaling Workplace Learning for Youth
After-school employment has great potential to reinforce and expand on classroom learning—if students, educators, and employers collaborate.
Insights
Building Inclusive Schools and Communities with the Community Conversation Toolkit
The Community Conversation Toolkit helps families, educators, and community members discuss how to make schools welcoming and inclusive to all.
Resources
Adapting Lesson Study for Community College Math Instruction
We're are collaborating with the CCRC to adapt a pilot project at three community colleges in Oregon to test the usefulness of the lesson study professional development model in higher education.
Resources
Lesson Study Resources
Lesson Study is a structured, collaborative professional development intervention with evidence showing that it improves mathematics instruction among K-12 teachers.
Insights
Enriching Data with Experience: How Latinx Identity Strengthens Research at Education Northwest
As an immigrant and first-generation student, Education Northwest researcher Manuel Vazquez draws on lived experience to identify evidence-based programs and policies that are grounded in equity.
Resources
Latinx Heritage Month Teaching Resources to Use All Year Long
Need a starting point to make your teaching more inclusive of Latinx communities? See our list of resources for lesson plans, activities, documentaries, art, and more.
Insights
Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month: Understanding Diversity by Exploring Identity
Education Northwest celebrates the rich complexity of Latinx identity and the value that diverse cultures, histories, and languages bring to our community.
Insights
Update From Patty Wood, Education Northwest CEO
As we move from weeks to months of social distancing, school closures, and remote work—and we envision an education system fundamentally changed by the COVID-19 pandemic—Education Northwest is responding to our partners’ changing needs.
Resources
Assessing Mathematical Understanding
Assessing Mathematical Understanding is a set of mathematics assessments for kindergarten and first-grade students that provides both cumulative data about students’ progress over time and in-depth diagnostic information.
General
Board of Directors
Education Northwest is governed by a board of directors from the Northwest region comprising Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
General
Assessing Mathematical Understanding: K-1 and Diagnostic Assessment Videos
The video clips of teacher-student assessment interviews provide an opportunity for users to discuss and clarify different types of student responses.
Insights
New Coaching Resource Can Help Schools Support Teachers of English Learners
With more English learners in American schools, it's important to equip teachers to make learning accessible for all students. A new tool for coaching teachers can help schools meet this challenge.
Case Briefs
Wyoming Preschool Development Grant Birth Through 5 Initial Grant Evaluation
Education Northwest supported Align by conducting an independent evaluation of their $2 million Preschool Development Grant Birth Through 5 implementation.
General
Contact Us
We welcome your questions, suggestions, or comments. Please complete and submit the form below so that we may relay your message to the appropriate Education Northwest staff member.
General
Contact Staff
We welcome your questions, suggestions, or comments. Please complete and submit the form below so that we may relay your message to the appropriate Education Northwest staff member.
Service Line
Improving Career and Technical Education
CTE can prepare students for college and career success—but not all students have the same access to these important learning experiences. With the help of data and evidence, you can improve your CTE programs so every student can participate and succeed.
Service Line
Institute for Youth Success at Education Northwest
The Institute for Youth Success provides professional development to volunteers and staff of youth programs, relevant, evidence-based information on topics ranging from recruitment to program management.
Case Briefs
Applying Social-Emotional Learning at Scale
We worked to expand the district’s current training efforts by organizing and facilitating a series of in-person meetings for district educators, families and community leaders in order to help educate and guide them.
Insights
7 Ways to Develop an Online Community with English Learner Students
Learn strategies for developing an online community with EL students, such as leveraging their digital skills, creating buddy systems, holding breakfast meetings, and checking in with families.
Insights
Finding the Green Zone: Trauma-Informed Practices in the Classroom
Using trauma-informed practices helps create a foundation of safety and support. As students work through their own trauma, together we build a community focused on healing, resilience, growth, learning, and success.
Insights
Dr. Karen Pérez Joins Education Northwest to Lead Equity-Focused Systems Improvement
Karen joined Education Northwest as a leader in equity and systems improvement. She brings an asset-based, community-centered approach that helps leaders achieve equity for marginalized groups.
Insights
Making it Personal: Conducting Relevant Research to Support English Learners
Education Northwest researcher Diana Serrano experienced the power of education firsthand. Today, she gives back to English learners and educators through research grounded in practical application.
Insights
Switching Gears: Ways to Optimize an Unplanned Shift to Online Teaching
The sudden pivot to online teaching comes with plenty of challenges, but teachers may be further ahead than they realize because they have already built relationships with their students.
Insights
Education Northwest’s Pledge of Anti-Racism
The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have again exposed the systemic nature of racism. As an organization that is committed to rooting out inequities in our education system, we have an obligation to speak out.
Insights
Native American Heritage Month: The Stories We Tell
How can we make sure that the stories we teach in our schools not only honor the histories of Indigenous peoples but also respect them as diverse, thriving communities?
Insights
Native Communities Harnessing the Internet to Share Traditional Knowledge
Native communities have been showing up for education during the COVID-19 pandemic—tribal elders, leaders, advocates, and educators have been finding creative ways to engage learners.
Insights
Using Accountability Testing as a Flashlight in Post-pandemic Education
Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity to develop and implement innovative solutions that address long-standing educational challenges. One example is accountability testing.
Insights
Bridging the Distance: Three Ways Teachers Can Help Students Strengthen Their Writing Remotely
As more states extend their school closures and remote learning becomes a new reality, teachers have less time for instruction, as well as less control over when and how students work.
Resources
What Math Teachers Should Know About Teaching English Learners
Math has its own language, and English learners often struggle to understand math concepts in this language. What can math teachers do to help their English learner students succeed?
Insights
Helping Schools Navigate Uncharted Waters
As schools, districts, and other educational entities identify their needs during this unprecedented time, Education Northwest is here to provide customized services and resources.
Insights
Unpacking the “Hispanic” in Hispanic Heritage Month
As a self-identifying “brown-skinned Latina, first-generation immigrant,” Karen Pérez reflects on the meaning of Hispanic Heritage Month and how we can celebrate Latinx heritage.
Insights
Looking Ahead: Future Proofing the U.S. Education System
The U.S. educational system is now experiencing a test run for the future. COVID-19 has demonstrated that despite the widespread use of online learning in many educational settings, we are still woefully unprepared to meet the needs of all students in such an environment.
Insights
Centering Native Culture for Strength, Healing, and Student Success
Learn how Montana’s Hays Lodgepole School is weaving students’ Assiniboine and Gros Ventre culture into its curriculum.
Insights
The People in the Numbers: Rethinking Data for Black Student Success
Dr. Ivory Toldson of Howard University shares how to filter out “bad stats” about Black students, find good data, and center student voice in our schools.
Insights
A Changing Landscape: Secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Oregon
Education Northwest researchers recently completed a REL Northwest study that provides a landscape scan of secondary CTE programming in Oregon.
Insights
Collaborating to Solve Basic Needs Insecurity on College Campuses
ECMC Foundation’s Basic Needs Initiative is helping colleges and nonprofit partners connect students to food, housing, and more.
Insights
Celebrating 2020 Nelson Scholarship Winners
The Nelson Scholarship Program strives to increase Native representation in education by supporting Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in a related field.
Insights
Study Examines Equity in School Discipline After 2015 Policy Reform
K-5 office discipline referrals in Oregon were less likely to result in suspensions or expulsions for most student racial/ethnic groups—except Black students—after 2015 state policy reform.
Insights
Strategies to Strengthen Registration Processes, Supports for Newcomer Secondary Students
REL Northwest has designed a toolkit to help educators identify and use research-based policies and procedures for supporting newcomer immigrant students who are attending secondary schools in the United States.
Insights
New Lesson Study Tools for College Faculty
We partnered with the CCRC and three community colleges to adapt lesson study, a professional development strategy proven to be effective in K–12 classrooms, to the postsecondary context.
Case Briefs
Washington State COVID Response and Recovery Project
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the K–12 education system, new complications in teaching and learning piled onto existing challenges caused by systemic racism.
Insights
Ways to Become More Culturally Responsive in Engaging American Indian and Alaska Native Families
Centering cultural responsiveness on youth, families and elders and making cultural connections across the curriculum are two of the family engagement strategies shared in this blog post.
Service Line
Tutoring Program Development
Whether you need support with design, implementation, or evaluation of your tutoring program, Education Northwest partners with you to identify the best solutions to help your students thrive.
Insights
A Strategy for Predicting How Long It Takes for ELL Students to Reclassify
Our researchers write about how they used a methodology developed by medical researchers to create a useful tool for determining how long it will take students to pass a language proficiency test and exit English learner services.
Insights
Why Postsecondary Education Matters
Going to college makes a significant difference in students' future earnings. Read about how CTE could help energize more Oregon students to pursue a postsecondary path.
Insights
What to Look For to Help Youth Stay Out of the Juvenile Justice System
Jacob Williams looks at the role educators can play in supporting youth to help keep them out of trouble and discusses several risk domains associated with young people based on a new, comprehensive literature review.
Insights
Teaching Math to Struggling Learners
Math success for students with learning disabilities and struggling learners starts with solid teaching practices combined with necessary, specially designed teaching adjustments.
Insights
Looking at the Latest Community College Innovations and Reforms
For many Americans, high tuition costs are a primary barrier to attending college and earning a postsecondary credential.
Insights
Leveraging Reauthorization of Career and Technical Education Legislation to Improve Program Performance
Reauthorization of federal CTE legislation offers states an opportunity to rethink their CTE performance indicators. Steve Klein provides a set of principles to help guide states' work.
Insights
Expanding College Access: Promising Strategies to Boost Students’ Financial Aid Completion
Financial aid helps expand college access but not all eligible students apply. This post explores the barriers students face in applying for aid and provides FAFSA-completion strategies for educators.
Insights
Closing the Discipline Gap Where It Starts—in Preschool Programs
Researcher Vicki Nishioka frames alarming statistics for out-of-school suspensions and discipline disparities in preschool programs with a set of practices that can help schools end the problem.
Insights
Building Bilingual Pride Through Credits for Proficiency
English learners entering high school have to learn both English and grade-level content to begin accumulating credits to graduate.
Insights
Taking Positive Steps Toward Involving American Indian Families in Their Children’s Schooling
Mandy Smoker Broaddus shares a set of steps that can make an immediate impact in helping American Indian students and community members feel welcome at school.
Insights
Three Ways to Improve Teacher-Student Relationships and Reduce Discipline Disparities
What skills can teachers learn to relate better to their students across cultures? Researcher Vicki Nishioka offers strategies to build teacher-student relationships and close the racial discipline gap.
Insights
Positive and Caring Relationships with Teachers are Critical to Student Success
How can teachers reach all their students—including students from cultural backgrounds different from their own?
Resources
Understanding and Cultivating Social Emotional Learning
Want to learn the basics of social and emotional learning? Download this primer to learn concepts you can use to help students develop “nonacademic skills” and reach their full potential.
Resources
Early Findings on Oregon’s New College Grant Program
This report explores the implementation and signs of progress of Oregon Promise in its first year.
Resources
A Case Study of Developmental Education Redesign at Two Oregon Community Colleges
Find out about the progress community colleges in Oregon are making to support students who are traditionally required to take developmental education courses and face a high risk for not graduating from college.
Resources
A Practitioner’s Guide to Educating Traumatized Children
The presence of traumatized children in our schools is nothing new, but research now shows us how we, as educators, can moderate the effects of trauma on students' ability to learn.
Resources
What Does the Research Say About Barriers to FAFSA Completion?
Roughly one-third of students who did not file a FAFSA, would have been eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, which provides aid for low-income undergraduate students and lowers the costs of college.
Resources
Checklist: What Network Organizers Should Look for in an Intermediary
Intermediary organizations that serve as the backbone of an education network can be integral to a network’s success. Use this checklist to assess whether a potential intermediary partner can fulfill the core capacities to your emerging network.
Resources
Mentoring Early Career Teachers in Urban Alaska
This brief provides educators with the background, rationale and evidence for implementing an uninterrupted, 90-minute literacy block as part of a comprehensive approach to teaching reading in elementary schools.
Resources
Measuring Social and Emotional Learning: A Brief Guide
Think through important decisions on why to measure SEL, how to use SEL data and which skills, mindsets and capacities are appropriate to measure with this informative two-page guide.
Resources
Guiding Questions for Starting a Professional Learning Network
When forming a professional learning network, how do you ensure your efforts are meaningful and sustainable? This resource will help you start your network with a clear purpose and solid direction.
Resources
Five Characteristics of Successful Education Networks and Five Tips to Achieve Them
What does a high-performing education network look like, and what steps can emerging networks take to get there?
Resources
What the Research Says on Cyberbullying and Electronic Aggression
Cyberbullying, or electronic aggression, is unwanted behavior by a student or group of students that occurs through email, chat rooms, instant message, websites or social media.
Resources
What the Research Says About Summer Melt
Summer melt is even more prevalent for low-income students, students in large urban districts, and community-college bound students—with attrition rates as high as 40 percent.
Resources
Rubric for District English Learner Programs
Designed to help districts assess and optimize their EL services, this tool contains 71 items organized into eight sections that address key components of a district’s program for English learners.
Resources
How Future Connect is Improving College Success Through Comprehensive Advising and Financial Support
This report is the first external evaluation of Future Connect. It examines the program’s impact on college performance, progression, persistence, transfer, and completion.
Resources
Obscured Identities: Improving the Accuracy of Identification of American Indian and Alaska Native Students
This brief serves as a resource for K–12 districts, state education agencies, higher education institutions and district Title VI Indian education offices.
Resources
Increasing Student Attendance: Strategies from Research and Practice
This 2004 booklet presents some research-based ideas as a starting place for those who want to develop better policies and practices to support student attendance.
Resources
Youth Mentoring Evaluation Resources
Program evaluation is an increasingly important area of operations for all youth mentoring programs. These resources can help youth mentoring programs evaluate the quality of the mentoring relationships they are building
Resources
Classroom Questioning
This classic brief reviews research on the relationship between teachers' classroom questioning behaviors and a variety of student outcomes, including achievement, retention and participation.
Insights
Changing Mindsets: Using District Data to Expand Career Preparation for All Students
Accountability indicators contained within the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act have a profound effect on career and technical education (CTE).
Insights
How Indiana Schools Are Strengthening the Dual Credit Teacher Pipeline
Our new study highlights creative solutions to encourage educators to earn dual credit teaching credentials.
Resources
6+1 Trait Writing Research
Poor writing skills are a barrier to hiring and promotion for many individuals, and remediation of problems with writing imposes significant operational and training costs on public and private organizations.
Resources
Equity Leadership Team Protocol
The Oregon Leadership Network promotes the engagement of school and district staff to continually examine and discuss potential inequities.
Resources
Effective Schooling Practices: A Research Synthesis 1995 Update
This classic research synthesis by Researcher Kathleen Cotton cites classroom, school, and district practices that research has shown to foster positive student achievement, attitudes and social behavior.
Resources
How Long Does It Take For Beginning English Learners to Become English Language Proficient?
This list of available recent studies and articles on time to reclassification for English learners can help inform processes such as program planning and resource allocation.
Resources
The School Improvement Research Series
The School Improvement Research Series was produced by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory under a contract with the Office of Educational Research and Improvement U.S. Department of Education.
Resources
What the Research Says on Engaging Native Families
We compiled this list of resources containing information on what changes schools can make to create a more welcoming school climate and increase the engagement of American Indian and Alaska Native families in schools.
Resources
Monitoring Student Learning in the Classroom
This classic brief looks at the research on activities pursued by teachers to keep track of student learning for purposes of making instructional decisions and providing student feedback.
Resources
Instructional Grouping
Placing students into small groups can be a powerful approach to stimulate learning. This resource serves educators looking to improve classroom instruction through small-group student learning.
Resources
What the Research Says on Supporting the Social and Emotional Well-Being of Students
Research shows that programs that support students’ development in communicating effectively, negotiating conflict, managing their emotions and behavior and other social and emotional skills can lead to better academic and life outcomes.
Resources
Indigenous Culture-Based Education Rubrics
A publications that provides training for use of the Indigenous Culture-Based Education Rubrics, which were originally developed to measure culture-based education (CBE) program levels in partner schools.
General
Education Northwest
Our mission is to use evidence to help partners solve educational challenges and improve learning.
Resources
Promoting Success for Teachers of English Learners: A Coaching Tool
Partners from CCSSO, AIR and Education Northwest adapted two widely used teacher evaluation and support systems into new resources for teachers with English learners in their classrooms.
Resources
What Social Studies Teachers Should Know About Teaching English Learners
The density and complexity of social science textbooks and other texts can be particularly challenging for English learners. What principles and strategies can social studies teachers employ?
Resources
What Language Arts Teachers Should Know About Teaching English Learners
Based on research, we identified key principles that teachers with English learner students in their classrooms should know. These principles are “big ideas” or concepts about second language acquisition and the academic challenges English learners face.
Resources
What Science Teachers Should Know About Teaching English Learners
Science inquiry poses particular linguistic challenges for English learners. Learn a few principles and strategies for effectively teaching science to students learning English.
Resources
What the Research Says on Professional Learning Networks and Communities
Our librarians compiled this list of readily available, recent studies and articles that leaders can draw from when forming new collaboratives or enhancing existing ones.
Resources
Mentor/Mentee Training and Relationship Support Resources
The following resources, developed by our National Mentoring Center project, can help mentoring programs prepare both volunteer mentors and the youth they serve for their mentoring experience.
Resources
Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practices
Addressing the unique needs of students from diverse backgrounds is one of the major challenges facing public education today because many teachers are inadequately prepared.
Resources
Creating Schools That Support Success for ELLs: Lessons Learned
What can district leaders do to create schools that support success for English learners?
Resources
The Impact of the Step Up Scholars Program on College Readiness and Success
Spearheaded by GEAR UP Hawai'i, the Step Up Scholars program was a statewide campaign that encouraged Hawai'i public school students to earn a more-rigorous high school diploma.
Insights
New Study Examines Whether Oregon’s Investment in Accelerated Learning Is Paying Off
Accelerated learning can improve students’ postsecondary outcomes, and a new study finds that one in three Oregon public high school students participated in this kind of coursework.
Insights
Learning from the Recent Past: How the SIG Program Can Inform Rural School Improvement
With ESSA placing states and districts in the driver’s seat when it comes to school improvement, what lessons can be learned from the School Improvement Grant (SIG) program?
Insights
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
We’re excited to share some of the important work being conducted in the Northwest region and beyond to promote success for American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Insights
Alaska Teacher Describes the Power of Educator Networks in Education Week Blog Post
According to Karen Martin, a teacher and instructional coach in Alaska, the Northwest Rural Innovation and Student Engagement (NW RISE) Network builds connections.
Insights
Voices from the Northwest: Strategies for Funding Educator Networks
Bringing people together Is an investment that pays off—but how do you cover costs to build educator networks?
Insights
Honoring African American Leaders in the Northwest
For Black History Month, we recognize the leadership of nine role models from the Pacific Northwest connected to our public schools, higher education and the development of young people.
Insights
Payton Bordley: Nelson Scholarship Profile
“The health of my community, and of Indian Country in general, depends on policymakers with personal experience.”
Insights
What Network Organizers Should Look for in an Intermediary
Intermediary partners can have a strong, positive impact on education networks. What are the qualities that make a good intermediary?
Insights
Together, We Own Our Education: How Alaska Native Classrooms Can Become More Responsive to Culture
Sonta Hamilton Roach writes about creating an education system that embraces culture and fits the needs of students, families and community members.
Insights
Six Things Principals Can Do To Support Their English Language Learners
When schools get an influx of English learners, what can principals do to help ensure their academic success?
Insights
Treating Language as a Strength: The Benefits of Bilingualism
Looking at the assets (rather than the deficits) of English learners is a way of reframing the conversation.
Insights
Putting Reading and Writing Together for Struggling Students
When students are struggling in reading and writing, a promising approach is to emphasize the connections through strategies like sentence starters and mentor texts. Our author gives insights.
Insights
How Teachers of Color Can Make a Difference in the Classroom and Beyond
Hiring more teachers of color benefits all students academically and builds the school community—and it's the right thing to do.
Insights
Helping Students With Dyslexia Find Their Reading Motivation
Teachers can create a rich learning experience for everyone by providing the necessary accommodations for students with dyslexia, while also embracing their unique skills and perspectives.
Insights
Four Principles for Meaningfully Incorporating Youth Voice into Programs and Services
Incorporating youth voice into academic settings requires educators and other adults to be mindful and think critically about when they need to step up (and step out) to best support youth.
Insights
Strategies to Support Black Students, Teachers, and Communities in Schools
Honoring Black History Month means supporting Black communities in schools all year long. In this blog, we share some ideas on how to make that commitment in your own school.
Insights
Building Students’ Sense of Social Belonging as a Critical First Step
Belonging is a fundamental human need. What strategies that educators can use to help students feel more secure in their school experiences?
Insights
A Powerful Change Strategy
Jacqueline Raphael highlights a set of best practices that emerging networks can follow and makes a case for using an experienced intermediary organization to serve as the network's “backbone.”
Insights
Rachel Ellenwood: Nelson Scholarship Profile
"For me, learning about my own culture is a lifelong process, but I definitely believe we should be telling our own story whenever possible.”
Insights
Patty Wood Named Chief Executive Officer of Education Northwest
Education Northwest’s board of directors announced that it has unanimously chosen Patty Wood as the organization’s chief executive officer.
Insights
New Video Introduces Oregon Educators to Tribal History
Discover what's new in a statewide curriculum on the Native American experience in Oregon.
Insights
Latinx Educators Tell Their Stories
As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we are deeply inspired by the five Latinx educators who are sharing their stories with us in 2019.
Resources
English Language Development Minutes, Models, and Outcomes: Beaverton School District
English Language Learner (ELL) students bring substantial assets such as bilingualism and biculturalism to communities and classrooms, yet their educational achievement is often lower than that of their non-ELL peers.
Insights
Developing Youth Through a Growth Mindset
Collective impact initiatives have data at the core of their efforts to improve communities, but when partners don’t collect or have access to the same data, it’s a challenge that calls for creative solutions.
Insights
So You Think You Want to Conduct Research in a School District?
Doing research in a school district is not primarily about researchers. The best way to start is by thinking about what’s in it for the district, because that’s what they’ll want to hear first.
Resources
Research on a Four-Day School Week
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 21 states have districts operating on a four-day schedule.
Resources
Leading School Improvement With "Intension"
School leadership is complex and requires wisdom, informed judgment, and choosing among multiple options. Should leaders push for fast results or incremental improvements over time?
Insights
Dr. James A. Banks Prepares Educators and Students for a Changing World
As our global society grows ever more diverse, the challenge of effectively educating students to participate is greater than ever.
Insights
What the Research Says (Or Doesn’t Say): Advisory Programs
Advisory programs (or advisories) are frequently implemented by schools as a way to strengthen connectedness between adults and students and foster a personalized and supportive school culture.
Insights
Changing Demographics, Lasting Commitments
According to recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, one in three students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington is now a member of a racial/ethnic minority group.
Insights
Looking at Our Differences, Accepting Them, and Using Them as Strengths
Shirley Araiza's blog post originated as a speech given to education leaders at the Oregon Leadership Network Spring Leadership Institute in Salem, Oregon.
Insights
Study Finds High School Grades are a Strong Predictor of College Readiness for Recent Graduates
This study has found that high school GPA was better than college entrance exam scores at predicting college course grades for recent Alaska high school graduates.
Insights
How a Teacher Mentoring Project in Alaska Gets Results
The Alaska Statewide Mentor Project has positive effects on the retention of new teachers and student achievement. What can other states take away from what Alaska is doing?
Insights
Argument Writing as Dialogue in the Common Core
On the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 24 percent of students in grades 8 and 12 scored at or above proficient level, lower than our students’ performance in reading and mathematics.
Insights
Developing the Strengths of Students with Dyslexia: Six Teaching Strategies
Students with dyslexia are intelligent but struggle to "crack the code" of written language. What can educators do to best support them in the classroom?
Resources
Addressing the Challenges of Building and Maintaining Effective Research Partnerships
The use of research and data in decision making has become a popular mantra in education circles, but putting it into practice presents some real challenges
Insights
No One Gets Left Behind: Affirming a Mexican Vision of Community
Myrna Muñoz invites everyone to join in her ancestors’ Mexican way of understanding community—affirming, supporting, and empowering one another.
General
What We Do
We use evidence to help partners solve educational challenges and improve learning.
Insights
Community Is a Call to Action—Latinx Heritage Month 2021
From September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates Latinx Heritage Month to spotlight the achievements and contributions of Latinx Americans.
Resources
Building Trusting Relationships for School Improvement
Examining the issue of trust within the context of school improvement, looking specifically at teacher-teacher and teacher-principal relationships.
Insights
Why We Must Address Inequities (How can we not?)
Like many educators, I try to take time in the summer to reflect and recharge. For many of you, a new school year is about to begin—or already has.
Insights
A Cellphone and Sneakers: Strategies for Graduation Coaches
Once schools are using data to identify the students at risk of falling through the cracks, what’s the next step? Graduation coaches who help kids cross the graduation stage is one potential solution.
Insights
Strategies for Encouraging English Learners to Talk About Their Learning
English learner students face significant challenges in meeting the new Common Core State Standards.
Insights
Five Leadership Principles That Can Make a Profound Impact on Students
We wrestle with these issues of privilege, dominant culture, and expectations in North Clackamas schools. We’ve found that there is a strong interplay among instructional practices, equity, and leadership.
Insights
Native Hawaiian Students’ Achievement Gap in Reading: A Longitudinal Study From Hawaii
This paper looks at reading performance and the achievement gaps between Native Hawaiian students and their white peers with an eye toward informing policy.
Insights
So You Think You Want to Conduct Research in a School District? Part 2
When you approach a district with a request to conduct research or receive data, you probably won’t be the first.
Insights
Student Voice: Listening to What Matters Most
Our schools exist because of our students. As educators we have the awesome responsibility and unique opportunity to reach, teach and prepare our students for tomorrow.
Insights
The Civil Rights Movement in Today’s Classroom
This year we will mark the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
General
Areas of Work
Whether we’re bolstering literacy instruction, training antipoverty workers, evaluating English learner interventions, or researching equitable school policies and practices, our work is making an impact in our region and across the country.
Insights
What the Research Says About K-8 Versus Middle School Grade Configurations
A common request from principals, teachers, parents, and policymakers is for research that will help determine what grade configuration is best for students in various grade levels.
Insights
When Bullying Crosses the Line
Learn how to support schools and districts on preventing harassment and bullying by emphasizing the victim’s perspective.
Resources
Serving Latinx Communities in Comprehensive District Learning
Learn strategies, raise consciousness, and begin to critically examine school practices that provide the opportunity for Latinx students and families to thrive in our schools.
Resources
Scaling Out-of-School Time STEM Programming: A National Scan
To gather information about the field of out-of-school time science, technology, engineering, and math (OST STEM), Education Northwest recently conducted a national scan of OST STEM programs for the Overdeck Family Foundation
Resources
Native Boarding Schools: The Lasting Impacts on Today's Native Students and Families
How do past boarding school practices and policies affect our Native students and families today? Learn from several educators in the Western region who are successfully partnering with our Native communities.
Resources
Alaska Native Students as English Learners: Exploring New Research
Learn about two new studies that address the research gap on Indigenous English learners.
Resources
Improving Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Using Lesson Study
This webinar introduced lesson study, showcased new implementation resources, and reviewed research findings from the project.
Resources
Participating in a Collective Impact Initiative: One School District’s Perspective
"Changing the Conversation,” a new study from Education Northwest, looks at Highline Public Schools’ participation in the Road Map Project.
Insights
Study Finds Oregon Promise Influenced Students’ College-Going Decisions
Oregon Promise, a program that covers most tuition at Oregon community colleges, appears to be having an impact on the college-going decisions of students—particularly first-generation students.
General
About Education Northwest
Our mission is to use evidence to help partners solve educational challenges and improve learning.
Insights
Celebrating Leaders and Role Models Here and Now
We are inspired by the people we are honoring as we observe Hispanic Heritage Month. We are focusing on people who are doing meaningful work and have the potential to create wonderful legacies as leaders and role models.
Insights
Language in the Air: How a District has Elevated English Learner Student Interaction
English learners benefit when they have opportunities for language practice throughout the day. What does it take for schools to make this happen?
Insights
Honoring African Americans Working to Improve Education in Our Region
Education Northwest is recognizing the contributions of African American educators and community leaders in our region who are doing exceptional work to improve public education and make a difference in students’ lives.
Areas of Work
English Learners
Transform English language learning for your students with effective and equitable practices that build on their strengths.
General
Careers at Education Northwest
In addition to competitive salaries, Education Northwest offers an attractive benefit package that includes a robust retirement plan and generous vacation and personal leave.
General
Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship
This scholarship strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest.
Resources
Mathematics Interventions: What Strategies Work for Struggling Students?
According to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, two-thirds of eighth-grade students performed at or below a basic level of proficiency in mathematics.
General
Oregon CTE Participation Explorer Dashboard
The Oregon career and technical education (CTE) participation explorer dashboard provides participation and concentration rates of high school students in CTE programs of study, both at the state l
Case Briefs
Intentional Planning Practice
In partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education, we addressed inequities facing students who are emergent bilingual and strengthened instructional practice across the state.
Services
Applied Research
Put research to work for you—engaging in inquiry and solving specific problems of practice.
Areas of Work
Early Learning
Through research and deep collaboration, we improve early learning opportunities so children and their families can access a brighter future.
Areas of Work
Equitable Learning Environments
Building on the strengths of your community, we create the conditions that allow each learner to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Areas of Work
Equity & Diversity
Use data and evidence to research, evaluate, and implement educational systems that foster diversity and enhance equity.
Areas of Work
Native Education
Improve outcomes for Native students with educational practices that sustain Indigenous cultures and honor Tribal sovereignty.
Areas of Work
Postsecondary Success
Together, we build pathways and supports that guide any learner, at any age, to college success.
Areas of Work
School System Improvement
Build stronger schools for students and educators alike with an asset-based, data-driven approach to school improvement.
Areas of Work
Youth, Family & Community
Set students up to excel in school and life through effective, engaging, and culturally responsive youth programs.
Areas of Work
Career & Technical Education
Empower students and communities with a data-driven, equity-centered approach to career and technical education.
Insights
Using Data to Build an Early Childhood System for Wyoming’s Future
Wyoming is using data from its Preschool Development Grant evaluation to strengthen education systems for the state’s youngest residents.
Insights
Native Education Expert Denise Juneau Joins Education Northwest as Senior Fellow
Denise Juneau brings expertise in Native and culturally responsive education, equity, and student voice to Education Northwest.
Insights
Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Learn, teach, and celebrate the diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture, history, and heritage.
Insights
What Is Career and Technical Education, and Why Does It Matter?
Working with academic courses, career and technical education gives students the real-world skills they need to excel in a wide range of industries.
Resources
The First Migratory Learners: Identifying and Supporting Native Migratory Students
An infographic that offers strategies for educators to build their awareness of these cultural traditions and address the needs of this often-overlooked student population.
Resources
Trauma-Informed Practices for Postsecondary Education: A Guide
Raise your awareness on trauma in postsecondary education institutions and how trauma affects learning and development and learn strategies to work effectively with college students who have been exposed to trauma.
General
Our Commitment to Equity
Education Northwest aims to intentionally cultivate a safe, inclusive work environment where people can fully share their expertise and lived experiences.
Resources
Fostering a Safe and Bias-Free Learning Environment: A Guide for Educators
One form of bullying, harassment, or discrimination often can lead to another. This guide uncovers similarities in the causes, types and responses to different forms of bias and the legal aspects of this problem.
Resources
Resources for Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Teachers of Color
With a growing body of research showing the positive impact of diverse teachers on students outcomes, what does the research say on strategies for hiring more teachers of color?
Resources
Accelerated Learning in Oregon: Regional Promise Evaluation
To help achieve Oregon’s high school and postsecondary education completion goals, the state has been expanding its investment in accelerated learning options that give students the opportunity to earn college credit.
General
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Terms of Use Your access to the content on this website is subject to the Education Northwest Terms of Use.
Insights
Independent Evaluation Validates Success of PLC at Work Project in Arkansas
An independent evaluation of Arkansas’ PLC at Work project determined that the program has positively impacted student achievement on the ACT Aspire assessment.
General
Leadership
Patty Wood has served as Education Northwest’s chief executive officer since 2019. A longtime advocate for students, Patty is passionate about using evidence and policy to improve equity in education.
Resources
Accelerated Learning and Career and Technical Education in Oregon
CTE and accelerated learning courses are associated with positive outcomes for students, including high school graduation, college enrollment, and college persistence.
Insights
Now Is the Time to Focus on Educator Health and Well-Being
A collective, holistic approach to well-being in schools can lead to better working conditions for educators and better learning conditions for students.
Resources
6+1 Trait Writing Resources
As schools and districts increasingly take a cross-curricular approach to improving student writing skills, it’s more important than ever that students get clear, consistent feedback from all their teachers.
Resources
6+1 Trait Rubrics
Education Northwest has refined and updated the 6+1 Trait® rubrics that that specify how to assess the quality of student writing and tailor instruction to students’ needs.
General
Looking for 6+1 Traits?
Education Northwest developed the 6+1 Trait Writing Model of Instruction & Assessment to help educators provide clear, consistent, and evidence-based feedback on student writing.
Insights
Report Spotlights Promising Practices for Supporting Oregon's Transfer Students
Transferring from a community college to a university can be challenging. Without adequate support, community college students may struggle to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree.
Insights
From Patty Wood, Education Northwest CEO
As we enter uncharted waters and learn as a society how to cope with the realities and requirements of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to share what we are doing at Education Northwest.
Resources
Lesson Study: Getting Started
Download a visual representation that describes the stages in a lesson study cycle and see interviews with three college instructors about their experience with each stage.
Resources
Indian Reading Series
In 1972, the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory received funding from the National Institute of Education for the development of a community-based reading and language arts program especially for Indian children.
Services
Research Partnerships
Engage in long-term collaborations that generate new knowledge to improve education.
Services
Equitable Evaluation
Boost your impact and improve equity through our collaborative evaluations.
Services
Continuous Improvement
Chart a path to student success that the entire community can invest in.
Services
Implementation & Coaching
Build your team’s confidence and capacity to transform learning.
Services
State & Federal Technical Assistance
Improve educational equity at scale with effective, evidence-based technical assistance.
Services
Professional Development
Transform student learning with meaningful, relevant educator professional development.
Services
Training & Curriculum Development
Deepen your impact with high-quality, customized training services.
Services
Virtual Learning Development
Expand the scale of education with engaging, interactive virtual learning experiences.
Insights
A Tool to Help Support Districts’ Efforts to Assess their English Learner Program
We discuss a new research-based tool designed to help districts assess their English learner programs—and optimize their support for English learner students.
Resources
Resources That Support to Early Learning Programs and Kindergarten Transitions
Provide better support to early learning programs and kindergarten transitions with these resources from Education Northwest.
Resources
Full-Day Kindergarten
Research, data, and resources to help practitioners and policymakers make important decisions about schools and students
Resources
Improving the Accuracy of Native Student Identification
Many Native students do not receive the services they are entitled to, simply because they are not identified as Native when they enroll in school.

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