Skip to main content
Home
CONTACT US
  • Areas of Work
    • Career & Technical Education
      • Improving CTE Workshops
    • Early Learning
    • English Learners
      • Dual Language
      • Newcomers
    • Native Education
    • Postsecondary Success
      • Basic Needs
    • School System Improvement
      • Educator Workforce Development
      • Implementing the Science of Reading
    • Youth, Family & Community
      • Family Engagement
      • Youth Engagement
  • What We Do
    • Applied Research
    • Continuous Improvement
      • Collaborative Analysis Process
      • Implementing the Science of Reading
      • Improving CTE Workshops
    • Evaluation
      • Collaborative Analysis Process
    • Implementation & Coaching
    • Professional Development
    • Research Partnerships
    • State & Federal Technical Assistance
    • Training & Curriculum Development
    • Virtual Learning Development
  • Our Work
    • Case Briefs
    • Publications
    • Resources
  • Insights
  • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Nelson Scholarship
    • Contact Us

Search Education Northwest

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
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 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
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
Basic Needs Services Implementation Rubric
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
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the resources, insights, and news you need to provide excellent and equitable education for all. Subscribe to our newsletter!
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.
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
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
Interested in working with us? Have an idea or suggestion? Need help finding a resource? We’d love to hear from you!
General
Contact Staff
We welcome your questions, suggestions, or comments.
Service Lines or Approaches
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.
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
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.
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 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
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
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
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
Latine Educators Tell Their Stories
As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we are deeply inspired by the five Latine 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—Latine Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates Latine 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.
Resources
Equitable Learning Environments Framework and Theory of Action
Equitable learning environments support positive outcomes for students, educators, and entire school communities.
Insights
SEL Measurement: Why? What? How? Part 1: Why?
SEL is critical to student success, but how do you know your supports are working? On our blog, Researcher Karyn Lewis walks you through key considerations on how to measure SEL.
Insights
SEL Measurement: Why? What? How? Part 3: How?
Part 3 of our blog series offers considerations for selecting an SEL measurement tool that works best for your needs.
Insights
SEL Measurement: Why? What? How? Part 2: What?
With all the student skills, mindsets and competencies that fall under the SEL umbrella (including impulse control, perspective-taking and problem-solving), how do you decide which SEL skills should be measured?
Resources
High School SLC and Small School Reform Efforts–Lessons Learned
Small learning community and small school reform efforts have begun to falter in light of evaluations showing stalled implementation and limited impacts.
Resources
Discipline Disparities: Implications for School Practice and Policy
Creating and enforcing a clear and equitable discipline policy plays an important role in ensuring that all students are afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Resources
The Impact of Professional Learning Communities
What truly characterizes a professional learning community? And, more important, How can PLCs improve teacher practice and student learning?
Resources
Podcasts for Mentoring and Youth Development Programs
The Institute for Youth Success (IYS) has been supporting youth programs since our inception as the Oregon Mentoring Initiative in 2002.
Insights
Talking to Teachers About Value-Added Measures
It’s easy to understand why teachers are not always thrilled when they learn their district is considering using value-added models to help evaluate their effectiveness.
Insights
Social and Emotional Learning: Where Do You Start?
Social and emotional learning is critical for students, but the concepts can be confusing. In this article, Education Northwest's experts weigh in on the best places for educators to start.
Insights
Reducing School Suspensions Through Legislation
In 2013, the Oregon Legislature made substantial changes to state school discipline statutes that guide the policies of the state’s 196 districts
Insights
Making Connections: A Networking Strategy for Increasing Student Achievement
Nanci Schneider gives a districts a school improvement formula for juggling local mandates and meeting state standards: Stay focused on student achievement and build a network.
Insights
Lessons from the Early Years: A Personal Journey Into School-Family-Community Partnerships
Offering a few key strategies taken from the preschool years for educators to help promote family involvement in students’ education.
Resources
Improving College Math Readiness
A major challenge facing students as they pursue a postsecondary degree is a lack of academic preparedness for college-level math.
Insights
We’re Growing!
This month, Education Northwest has much to celebrate as we welcome eight new team members from six different states!
Areas of Work
English Learners
Transform English language learning for your students with effective and equitable practices that build on their strengths.
Insights
Celebrating Student Leaders During Black History Month
Education Northwest is taking an opportunity to look at Black History Month through the lens of the future by honoring six outstanding student leaders from across the region.
Insights
Using Data to Expand Equitable Opportunities for Students
Based on their experiences working with districts in Washington state, our researchers offer three recommendations for districts on using data to help ensure equitable educational experiences for students.
Insights
Increasing Teacher Collaboration to Better Serve Students Learning English
What strategies promote teacher collaboration across a school and provide English learners more opportunities for academic success?
Insights
Student Perspectives on the Support They Receive at School
How well do students feel they get along with their teachers? Three students from Portland YouthBuilders share experiences on the role that teacher-student relationships have played in their high school education.
Insights
Broadening Horizons: How NW RISE Helps Students Connect, Collaborate and Learn From One Another
For students in a writing class in a rural Idaho high school, sharing writing with peers in other states pushed their comfort zones. What did the students learn from this networking experience?
Insights
Study Finds High School Grades More Predictive of Students’ College Academic Performance Than Standardized Tests
A study of college readiness of first-time students at the University of Alaska found that high school GPA was more predictive of students’ success in college English and math courses than standardized test scores.
Insights
Education Northwest has a Brand New Website!
Have you taken a tour of our new website? With redesigned, content-rich pages, we invite you to discover how we can support you in using evidence to solve educational challenges and improve learning.
Resources
Mentor Recruitment and Screening Resources
The following resources on recruiting and screening volunteer mentors were been developed by our National Mentoring Center project.
Insights
Structure and Clear Limits: Strategies for Creating a Safe and Productive Learning Environment
Providing students with structure and boundaries doesn't have to take a big effort and can help young people learn more effectively.
Insights
Using Project-Based Blended Learning to Engage Career and Technical Education Students
When it comes to CTE, what teaching models make a difference? Our bloggers make a case for combining project-based and blended learning models into a powerful CTE teaching approach.
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.
Insights
Joyce Harris Honored by University of Oregon for Public Service
Joyce Harris won the 2016 award for public service given annually by the University of Oregon Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management and the department’s advisory council.
Resources
Prevention of Bullying in Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Bullying presents one of the greatest health risks to children, youth, and young adults in U.S. society.
Insights
A Framework for Supporting English Learner Students’ Language Development
From the beginning, our partnership with the Ontario School District in Eastern Oregon has focused on improving outcomes for English learner students.
Insights
Can Welcoming and Safe Schools Help Stop the Spread of Hate?
One reason that hate groups are on the rise may be that they provide their members a sense of belonging they are not finding elsewhere. What can educators do to help reverse this trend?
Insights
Creating Networks to Improve Teacher Recruitment and Retention: The Role of Education Northwest
For districts and schools hit hard by teacher shortages, there's only so much you can do alone in hiring and keeping high-quality teachers.
Insights
Rural Students and STEM in Washington State
As economic forces shift in rural areas, how can creating expanded educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math make a difference for rural students?
Insights
School Suspensions Target Vulnerable Students and Don’t Improve Safety
Students of color held out of class at a high rate even as overall suspensions are decreasing but also that as schools reduced suspensions, rates of unsafe behavior decreased and students reported feeling safer.
Resources
From High School to Learning Communities
This booklet summarizes research on best practices for implementing successful small learning communities and career academies.
Insights
Are Your Scaffolds for Supporting Students Helping or Getting in the Way?
In the classroom, the ability of students to provide explanations while talking to the teacher is an important skill.
Insights
Remembering Bob Rath
Bob Rath, our executive director for 15 years until his retirement in 1995, believed that working directly with children, schools, and communities truly made a difference.
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.
Insights
Highlighting Service of Four Leaders in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month we celebrate the careers and service of four leaders from our region who are making a difference in the lives of Latino students and families.
Insights
Actions Educators Can Take to Interrupt Narratives That Are Damaging to American Indian and Alaska Native Students
Teachers can engage in self-education and open up their classrooms to culture in forming strategies to end persistent and damaging stereotypes.
Insights
Preparing Students for College Math
A major hurdle to postsecondary success is students’ lack of academic preparedness for college-level math and a number of studies show that referral rates for developmental math far outpace those for developmental English.
Insights
New Study Provides Insights Into Dual-Credit Programs in Oregon High Schools
This REL Northwest study explores the relationship between students’ participation in dual-credit programs and their education outcomes.
Insights
Making a Personal Connection to ELL Research
As a researcher working with English language learners (ELLs) and their families, Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica draws from her own experiences in learning English while in school.
Insights
NW RISE Educators Speak Out on Value of Network in New Video
In a three-minute video, educators from small rural schools in the Pacific Northwest talk about the value of participating in a network.
Insights
Education Northwest Launches Scholarship Program for Native Graduate Students
Education Northwest has launched a new scholarship program for Native educators called The Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program.
Resources
Facilitating Online Communities of Practice - Lessons Learned
There’s growing recognition that communities of practice—peer-to-peer learning groups—offer an effective way to work together on a common problem, share strategies, and deepen members’ knowledge.
Insights
Meeting the Education Needs of Immigrant Newcomers
In our region—Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington—young people between the ages of 13 and 17 are more than twice as likely to be foreign-born immigrants than children from birth to the age of 12.
Insights
Hiring and Retaining Great Teachers in a High-Poverty Environment
For the past 13 years I’ve served as the principal at Pasco High School, a large public school in a small city in Southeastern Washington.
Insights
Reflecting on What Latine Culture Brings to Public Education
As we honor Latine contributions to our country during National Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s also important to reflect on what Latine culture brings—and can bring—to our kids’ education.
Insights
If You Read Only One Education Book This Summer
Steve Fleischman recommends Wildflowers, by Jonathan P. Raymond—a book that illuminates how a district put its whole-child credo into action and may inspire you to do more and better.
Insights
‘Getting It Right’ Guides Support Schools in Registering Students with Non-English Names
For students whose home language is not English, properly recording their information can be more difficult for school personnel who are not familiar with naming conventions from other cultural backgrounds.
Insights
Collective Impact: Successes and Challenges From the Field
Collective impact has emerged as a popular model in the Northwest, and nationally, for addressing long-standing challenges in reaching community-level educational goals and achieving of success for children and families.
Insights
Looking Back on Our First 50 Years: Building a Foundation for Change in Idaho
As we approach our 50th anniversary, we are running a series on the work we do with the five states that make up our region. This post looks at how Idaho is changing and what’s needed to meet the demands of an evolving workforce.
Resources
What Is the Evidence for an Uninterrupted, 90-Minute Literacy Instruction Block?
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
Leveraging Community College-High School Partnerships to Improve College Preparation
This study spotlights the promises and challenges of a high school-community college collaboration in Hawaii, the goal of which is to better prepare secondary students for postsecondary success.
Insights
Spotlight on Teaching English Learners
Practices and programs that help educators engage English learners with compelling, grade-appropriate language and content.
Insights
How Roosevelt High School Is Creating Real Writers
What’s helping to close the gap in our students’ writing ability at Roosevelt High School, Oregon’s most diverse high school, is extending writing beyond the classroom.
Insights
Empowering Volunteers and Increasing Impact: Lessons from SMART’s Refreshed Volunteer Training Program
Education Northwest’s adult learning team works with organizations to help strengthen the delivery and effectiveness of their training programs.
Insights
Transforming Rural Schools Under the Every Student Succeeds Act: Learning from the Past
New study that uncovers challenges faced by rural schools with School Improvement Grants and shows the promise of technical assistance when it comes to implementing evidence-based strategies.
Insights
Beyond Math and Reading: New Booklet Highlights Social and Emotional Skills
What is social and emotional learning (SEL)? What about nonacademic skills; workplace-essential skills; 21st-century skills; and mindsets, essential skills and habits (MESH)?
Resources
Choosing a School Turnaround Provider
The process of selecting a school turnaround provider can seem over­whelming, with so many choices and so little time and information.
Resources
From Training Space to Any Place: Expanding Approaches to E-Learning
Our always-on digital world presents both the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity to reframe what learning can and should look like today.
Insights
Literacy Lens: New School Year, New Opportunities for Equitable Learning
The first in a brand new monthly series, this post shines a light on the connection between literacy and equity and why the beginning of the school year is a chance to start fresh.
Insights
For Latine Students, Music Is More Than Entertainment; It’s a Place to Heal and Connect
Music plays a powerful role in the lives of Latine college students, as uncovered by Education Northwest’s Marbella Uriostegui and a team of researchers.
Insights
Education for Life: From Wood and Metal to Semiconductors and Programming
West Valley School District students can earn industry certificates in seventh grade and journeyman credentials in high school. What can other districts learn from West Valley's thriving CTE model?
Insights
What’s Good to Know About Creating Rural Educator Networks
Networks are a promising strategy for rural teachers to overcome the challenges of isolation. Danette Parsley provides three takeaways from our role in establishing a rural network in the Northwest.
Resources
Does Developmental Education Improve Labor Market Outcomes? Evidence From Two States
Findings show that completing developmental education courses in reading and writing leads to an increase in earnings, suggesting that developmental education English credits may improve individuals’ employability.
Resources
What District and School Leaders Can Do To Prepare Rural Students for a Brighter Future
This brief outlines steps district and school leaders can take to expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics opportunities for students through school-community partnerships.
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.
Insights
Postsecondary Education and CTE
Preparing students for their next steps in life is at the core of every high school’s mission. In this post we feature programs and practices that help educators empower students toward their next steps.
Resources
Mentoring Resources
The following resources, developed by our National Mentoring Center project can help school administrators and staff, as well as their community partners, design and implement effective mentoring services in K-12 school settings.
Insights
Bringing Parents Out of the Dark
As a parent who also works for an organization specializing in education research, I see schools working hard to stop exclusionary discipline practices and have seen research that shows that students who fall behind are most at risk for not graduating.
Insights
Education Northwest to Lead New Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center
Education Northwest announces it has been awarded $5 million over five years to lead a collaborative effort establishing a Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center.
Insights
Moving Toward Equity by Learning About Students’ Cultures
Oregon's teacher of the year writes about how he came to place students' cultures front and center in his classroom and in the community and encourages more teachers to promote equity.
Insights
Teaching Newcomer Students Language and Content Knowledge Through Intentional Planning Practice
Building the academic vocabulary of English learner students while teaching math or history can be a heavy lift for teachers. Tim Blackburn writes about an approach a California high school is adopting.
Insights
SEL Showcase: A Roundup of Our Best Resources
Here is a sampling of the research-based resources and conversations we shared on social and emotional learning.
Insights
Connecting Students and Teachers Across Alaska’s Tundra
Read how the NW RISE network that connects educators in rural schools across the Northwest inspired a new network in a remote Alaska school district the size of West Virginia.
Insights
Supporting Collect Impact Through a Developmental Relationship Approach
Schools alone can’t do everything when it comes to reaching out to underserved students and empowering them to succeed. Collective impact initiatives that focus on student success bring everyone together to align their efforts to better serve youth.
Insights
Discipline and Achievement on State Assessments for English Learner Students in Oregon
Do English learner students miss more class time due to discipline than their non-English learner peers? Art Burke examines this and other questions in his newly published REL Northwest study.
Insights
Early Identification of Students Most at Risk of Not Graduating on Time
A substantial body of research shows the knowledge, skills, habits, and dispositions toward school and learning that students bring with them on their first day of ninth grade have a large impact on their success throughout their high school career.
Insights
150,000 Reasons
Oregon’s Education Innovation Officer writes about the necessity to improve the state’s graduation rate and a few of the promising practices that could help Oregon reach its goal.
Insights
Defining the Dropout Problem as a Step Toward the Solution in Montana
Collective impact initiatives thrive on meaty problems—problems worth the attention, energy, and resources of the community that cannot be solved by the efforts of single organizations or sectors.
Insights
Turning Around Schools Through Collaboration and Coaching
Improving schools is about more than just improving academic performance. It’s also about creating a level playing field so that students from poor families have the same opportunities to succeed as those from more privileged backgrounds.
Insights
Advice for Superintendents: The ABC’s of Leading a District
Alaska's Superintendent of the Year breaks down the three principles that have helped shape his district: attention, building, and collaboration.
Insights
Helping Teachers Feel Successful (and Stay) in Rural Alaska
Attracting and keeping teachers in our hard-to-serve schools can help prepare all our students to be productive members of society in the 21st century.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Literacy Leadership for Positive Change
The second installment in Dr. Mikkaka Overstreet’s new literacy blog looks at the crucial role school leaders play in supporting the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices.
Insights
Washington English Learner Student Performance and Advanced Course Participation Explored
English learner students who were enrolled in Washington state public high schools between 2009-2010 and 2012-2013 took fewer advanced courses per school year than never-English learner students.
Insights
Drawing on Community Wisdom To Guide Collective Impact
Collective impact involves bringing together a wide range of partners—schools, community-based organizations, government, businesses, foundations, and individuals—to address a critical community issue.
Insights
Uncovering and Addressing Gaps in Advanced Course Enrollment for English Learner Students
A study found disparities in advanced course enrollment among students from different language groups. What can schools do to increase advanced course enrollment and success for English learners?
Insights
Encouraging Student Success in Online Credit Recovery Courses
Jason Neiffer of the Montana Digital Academy writes about research from REL Northwest that confirms what he's long believed to be a key element for student success in online credit recovery programs.
Insights
Lessons from Montana: Educational Equity Policies for American Indian Students
Laura John writes about how Montana's graduation rates for American Indian students are rising and the state's various programs and initiatives that are helping close the achievement gap in Indian Country.
Insights
Lessons Learned from a Career in Indian Education: A Conversation with Denise Juneau
Education Northwest Senior Fellow and former Montana State Superintendent Denise Juneau talks about the lasting legacy of Indian Education for All and the power of culturally responsive education.
Insights
The Future of Education Is Indigenous: Honoring the 2022 Nelson Scholars
Meet the 2022 Nelson Scholars, a group of Native educators working to infuse traditional knowledge into our schools.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Literacy as a Tool for Empowerment
Dr. Overstreet explores the power of literacy instruction that deliberately and authentically connects to students’ diverse cultural identities and real-life experiences.
Insights
State Leaders Share Challenges and Promising Practices in Indian Education
Native American students have the lowest graduation rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the Northwest, a dire fact that fueled the conversation at a recent meeting convened by the Northwest Comprehensive Center.
Insights
What We Are Learning About the Academic Tenacity of Our Youngest Learners
What skills can preschoolers learn that will ultimately help them get into college? It may sound surprising, but research suggests even very young children are already developing skills that will help them later in life.
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.
Insights
Implementing ‘Language in the Air’: Key Ways a District Elevated English Learner Instruction
When your goal is to make expanded opportunities for English learners to practice language skills throughout the school day a reality, how do you go about it?
Insights
Psychological Factors May Be at the Root of Discipline Disparities for Students With Disabilities
Although discipline disparities along racial and gender lines have gained increasing attention in recent years, students with disabilities are not always a part of the conversation.
Insights
Making More of More: Expanded Learning Time in Oregon
I recently had the privilege of assisting the Center on Education Policy at George Washington University with a study of expanded learning time, which included an exploration of this practice in Oregon.
Insights
Rep. Bonamici Emphasizes Value of Research During Presentation at Education Northwest
U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici—whose Congressional district stretches from the west side of Portland all the way to the Oregon coast—spoke with Education Northwest staff.
Insights
Study Highlights Need to Focus on Academic Preparation of Spanish-Speaking Students to Address Gaps in Advanced Coursetaking
Spanish-speaking students—the largest group of language minority students in Washington state—take fewer advanced courses and earn lower grades in those courses than other language minority students and English-only speakers, regardless of whether they are classified as English learners.
Services
Applied Research
Put research to work for you—engaging in inquiry and solving specific problems of practice.
Insights
Partnering to Make a Difference in Equitable Education in 2022
We are proud to partner with organizations across the country in pursuit of excellent and equitable education for all. Join us as we reflect on a few highlights from the past year.
Insights
Literacy Lens: The Gift of Inclusive Literature
All students benefit from access to a diverse and inclusive literature. Dr. Overstreet looks at the concept of books as both windows and mirrors.
Insights
Jessica Johnson Named Chief Executive Officer of Education Northwest 
Education Northwest’s Board of Directors is excited to share that it has appointed Jessica Johnson as the organization’s next chief executive officer.
Insights
Learning Happens Everywhere 
Senior researcher Ming Yin brings a diverse set of skills, knowledge, and experiences to her new role at Education Northwest.
Insights
Postsecondary Education Expert Sara Goldrick-Rab Joins Education Northwest
Sara Goldrick-Rab, an award-winning scholar-activist focused on making higher education more accessible, affordable, and supportive of students, has joined Education Northwest as a senior fellow.
Insights
How Money, Math, and Mom Fit Into the College Readiness Equation
Bringing the families of low-income students into discussions of how to pay for college is one of the key messages Sara Goldrick-Rab shared at the Oregon GEAR UP SUCCESS Retreat.
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.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Review, Reflect, Revise
To stay focused on goals and ensure strategies and practices are working, educators need to review, reflect, and revise from time to time—engaging in a cycle of continuous improvement to meet student needs.
Case Briefs
Putting Data in Educators’ Hands to Enhance Equity
To address Oregon’s equity goals, Education Northwest developed a pair of data dashboards, one for accelerated learning and the other for CTE.
Case Briefs
Building Excellent Early Education in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood partnered with Education Northwest to develop a library of self-paced e-learning courses for early childhood educators.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Black Educators Matter
Students benefit from having teachers that reflect their cultural background. But while nearly 50 percent of U.S. students are people of color, only about 20 percent of teachers are.
Case Briefs
Closing Participation and Persistence Gaps in Career and Technical Education
Career and technical education (CTE) programs help high school students make informed decisions about postsecondary education and careers.
Case Briefs
Dual Language and English Language Development
Beaverton School District has Oregon’s third largest population of multilingual students, including English learners, who bring valuable cultural, linguistic, and individual strengths, assets, and diversity to the classroom.
Case Briefs
Helping College Students Thrive With Basic Needs Services and Resources
Many college students struggle to afford the full cost of college attendance, which includes tuition and fees as well as food, housing, transportation, access to the internet, and other living expenses.
Case Briefs
Supporting Tribal College Student Success with Data
Education Northwest partnered with Stone Child College to help them better understand the educational and career outcomes its students, many of whom are members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, experienced after they left the school.
Case Briefs
Bringing Tribal History, Culture, and Contemporary Contributions into the Classroom
Education Northwest partnered with CCBUTI to develop a Tribal curriculum to enable students and educators in South Umpqua to learn about the Tribe, its history, its culture, and its continuing importance in the local community.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Improving Literacy Rates for Women and Girls
Women still do not have equal access and outcomes in areas of education, health, economics, and more. The disparities are even starker when race and other demographics are considered.
Insights
What Works in Dual Language Education?
Educators, schools, districts, and researchers all have a role to play in building our knowledge about effective dual language programs.
Insights
Literacy Lens: A Love Letter to Libraries
The public library remains one of the few spaces in our society that offers access to vital resources, without the requirement of spending money.
Service Lines or Approaches
Implementing the Science of Reading
When schools focus on literacy, they help students lay the foundation for a successful future. Literacy skills equip young people to succeed academically in all subjects, excel in the workplace, and participate meaningfully in civic life.
Case Briefs
What Works in Reengaging Young Adults
More than four million U.S. young adults have disengaged from the K–12 education system. We partnered with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to study reengagement programs’ goals and effectiveness.
Insights
The Importance of Basic Needs Services for Postsecondary Student Success
Basic needs security is critical for ensuring strong academic performance, persistence and graduation, and improving well-being among students pursuing postsecondary education.
Case Briefs
Preparing Alaska School Leaders to Support Science of Reading Implementation
In spring and summer 2022, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) partnered with Education Northwest to deliver the Alaska Science of Reading Leadership Academy.
Resources
Sustaining Basic Needs Services at Postsecondary Institutions
This presentation featured findings from the ECMC Foundation Basic Needs Initiative evaluation report. This report provides lessons for implementing comprehensive, student-centered basic needs services.
Insights
Lessons for the Education System from Youth Reengagement Programs
In the United States today, more than four million young adults have disengaged from the K–12 education system without graduating or entering the workforce.
Areas of Work
Native Education
Improve outcomes for Native students with educational practices that sustain Indigenous cultures and honor Tribal sovereignty.
Case Briefs
Preparing Educators to Teach Multilingual Learners
An increasing number of U.S. students are multilingual learners, but teachers prepared to serve these students are almost always in short supply. A five-year partnership trains teachers to meet multilingual students' needs.
Insights
The Language House: Supporting the Burns Paiute Tribe’s Preschool Language Immersion Program
To help revitalize the Wadatika dialect of the Northern Paiute language, the Burns Paiute Tribe established its Language House. Senior consultant Kellie Harry worked with the Tribe to maximize the program’s impact.
Insights
Literacy Lens: The Impact of Literacy Leadership
Improving literacy outcomes for all students starts with consistently implementing evidence-based practices—and that requires strong leadership.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Data-Driven Literacy Leadership
Teachers are more likely to use new literacy initiatives they believe will help students. Principals can use data to get that critical educator buy-in.
Insights
Education Northwest Celebrates 50 Years With Video and Timeline of Major Milestones
We look back on our first 50 years with a video featuring the voices of Education Northwest staff members describing how their work connects to civil rights by striving to create equitable opportunities for all.
Resources
8 Key Principles of Successful Tutoring Programs
Quality tutoring programs center equity, uplift student voice, involve families, equip staff and volunteers with essential skills, and use data to evaluate success. Check out these eight research-based principles to make your tutoring program more effective.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Connecting Family Engagement and Effective Schoolwide Literacy Programs
Engaging parents and other caregivers as true partners in their children’s literacy development and overall education is an essential part of building a collaborative literacy culture.
Resources
Supporting Social and Emotional Learning Across Washington
To address the impacts of COVID, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction have provided resources to help implement high-quality, equity-focused, and culturally responsive education.
Areas of Work
Postsecondary Success
Together, we build pathways and supports that guide any learner, at any age, to college success.
Insights
Postsecondary Access Expert Leanne Davis Joins Education Northwest
Leanne Davis’ expertise in using data on student experiences and basic needs to promote change will help advance our work toward equity in education.
Insights
No Single Story—Latine Heritage Month
Lymaris Santana, senior consultant in literacy, reflects on the diverse facets of her Puerto Rican heritage and how they inspire her in work and life.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Four Ways States Can Implement Evidence-Based Literacy Practices
Reversing the nationwide decline in reading achievement requires systemic and individual change. Here are four ways to approach the challenge.
Insights
Leveraging Identity and Lived Experience to Uplift Immigrant Youth
Education Northwest researchers Marbella Uriostegui and Camila Cigarroa Kennedy share how Latina identity informs and strengthens their research.
Case Briefs
Leveraging Online Learning in Career and Technical Education
Education Northwest has helped SkillsUSA build a suite of career readiness and leadership development offerings aligned with best practices in online and blended learning.
Areas of Work
School System Improvement
Build stronger schools for students and educators alike with an asset-based, data-driven approach to school improvement.
Resources
What Now? Practitioners and Researchers Discuss New Federal Data on College Students' Basic Needs
The National Center for Education Statistics asked students if they had enough to eat and a safe place to sleep and the data shows that students across the nation are enduring food and housing insecurity.
Insights
The Next Generation of Native Educators: Celebrating the 2023 Nelson Scholars
Meet the next generation of Native education leaders, the 2023 Nelson Scholarship recipients.
Insights
Mathematics Instruction Expert RunningHorse Livingston Joins Education Northwest
RunningHorse Livingston specializes in coaching teachers in culturally responsive mathematics instruction. Education Northwest welcomes him to our Native Education team!
General
Download the Basic Needs Services Implementation Rubric
Please tell us a little about yourself to access this download.
General
I'm Interested in Basic Needs Communities of Practice
Many basic needs practitioners work in isolation at their college or university. To build a network of support, in early 2024 we will launch a free national community of practice.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Promising Approaches to Implementing Evidence-Based Literacy Practices
So far, 31 states have adopted the science of reading approach to literacy in grades K–3. Dr. Mikkaka Overstreet looks at how some of these states are applying two implementation strategies.
Resources
Promising Practices to Support Young Immigrants’ Education and Career Pathways
This guide outlines asset-based, culturally and linguistically responsive practices for engaging young immigrants and connecting them to education and career resources.
Insights
Supporting Thriving Learners in 2023
We worked with dozens of partners in 2023 to use evidence to solve educational challenges and improve learning. Here are some highlights!
Case Briefs
Ford Family Foundation Rural Youth Development Grant
Youth development programs in rural areas often lack high quality professional development opportunities for members of their staff. Ford Family Foundation partnered with us to help.
Areas of Work
Youth, Family & Community
Set students up to excel in school and life through effective, engaging, and culturally responsive youth programs.
Case Briefs
Scanning the Landscape of High School Alternatives
The diversity of programs makes it difficult to arrive at a single definition of a high school alternative. We took an asset-based approach offering supportive adult relationships, and providing wraparound services.
Case Briefs
Training Local Homeless Education Liaisons in Washington State
Education Northwest created a suite of on-demand online training modules to help Washington state educators support learners experiencing homelessness.
Insights
What Informal Mentors Can Teach Us About Effective Mentoring
Researcher Grace Gowdy explores how informal mentoring relationships offer important lessons about promoting equity and youth voice.
Insights
How Preschool Programs Can Use SEL and Relationships to Foster Lifelong Learning
Supportive, affirming preschool experiences pave the way for children’s positive perceptions of school and trusting relationships with teachers.
Case Briefs
Wenatchee Valley College Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan
Wenatchee Valley College in Washington state partnered with Education Northwest on a new strategic plan focused on equity and diversity.
Areas of Work
Career & Technical Education
Empower students and communities with a data-driven, equity-centered approach to career and technical education.
Case Briefs
Partnering to Support Students Holistically
Colleges and universities are partnering with community-based organizations to support students holistically—including their basic needs. We looked at what makes these partnerships successful.
Resources
Supportive School Systems for Newcomer Immigrant Youth
This brief provides strategies for making systems-level changes to promote learning and well-being among newcomer immigrant youth.
Resources
Supportive School Systems for Newcomer Immigrant Youth with Trauma Exposure
This brief provides strategies and resources to support educators in learning and implementing trauma-informed practices for newcomer immigrant youth.
Insights
Finding a Home for All of Me: One Black Woman’s Journey in Education
Dr. Mikkaka Overstreet was determined to make an impact on students’ lives—without leaving parts of herself at the door.
General
Download the #RealCollege Survey Questions and Guide
Please tell us a little about yourself to access this download.
Resources
#RealCollege Survey Guide and Questions
Learn how to use the #RealCollege Survey to assess which basic needs services your students use, which they don’t, and why.
Insights
Literacy Lens: Effective Literacy Practices for Secondary Students
How can states ensure their literacy frameworks and strategic plans include the entire K–12 spectrum?
Case Briefs
Oregon Promise’s Reach and Impact: The First Two Years
Oregon Promise is a financial aid program for community college students. We used data to study which students the program reaches and how they are impacted.
Case Briefs
Examining the Role of Faculty and Instructional Practices in Students’ Gateway Math Success
Student success in introductory community college math courses, also called gateway math, influences transfer and degree completion.
Case Briefs
Supporting Rural Students in Oregon in High School and Beyond
How can we support rural students’ decision making about life after high school? The Ford Family Foundation partnered with us to collect and analyze the data.
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
Embracing Accountability in Education
Senior Fellow Christine Pitts reflects on the importance of thinking of accountability in education as an asset—one that serves students, teachers, and the entire community.
Resources
Basic Needs Supports for Parenting Students
Ten recommendations for supporting college students who are parents—plus statistics to help you advocate for systems change to scale that assistance.
Resources
Integrated English Language Development
The integrated English language development model combines content and language instruction so all students, regardless of English proficiency, can access learning and meet standards.
Insights
Building Solidarity to Advance Equitable Family Engagement
Strong, trusting relationships between educators and families are foundational to educational equity. Indeed, students, families, schools, and communities benefit from strong family-school partnerships.
Publications
Students with Disabilities in Community Colleges: The Landscape of Support
This report highlights opportunities to help students with disabilities succeed in community college, from policy to advocacy to future research.
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.
Case Briefs
Connecting College Students to Public Benefits
Together, Benefits Data Trust and Education Northwest leveraged student voice in applied research to improve college students’ access to SNAP benefits.
Insights
Lessons From a Teacher in Instructional Design
Education Northwest instructional designer Ciera Carr leverages her past career in teaching to make learning experiences relevant for people of all ages.
Publications
ECMC Foundation Basic Needs Initiative Evaluation Reports
Two reports on the ECMC Foundation’s Basic Needs Initiative, which supported basic needs services at over 70 colleges and universities.
Publications
Partnerships Between Community Organizations and Postsecondary Institutions
How can partnerships between colleges and community-based organizations be leveraged to support students?
Service Lines or Approaches
Cycles of Improvement for Multilingual Learners
Cycles of improvement build better systems and programs for English learners and multilingual students using iterative stages of development, professional learning, implementation, and evaluation.
Publications
Homelessness and Housing Insecurity Among Community College Students Evaluation Report
Evaluating the College Housing Assistance Program in Tacoma, which provided housing vouchers to students experiencing homelessness.
Resources
Homelessness & Housing Insecurity Among Community College Students Webinar
Learn about the first longitudinal evaluation of a housing choice voucher program—Tacoma’s College Housing Assistance Program.
Insights
Literacy Lens: The Enduring Challenge of Diversifying the Teacher Pipeline
How can we support Black students in entering the teaching profession? Dr. Mikkaka Overstreet invited a few teachers-in-training to tell us.
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
How Wyoming Developed Early Learning Standards for Educators, by Educators
Wyoming’s collaborative, grassroots process led to early learning standards that have practical relevance for educators across the state.
Publications
Building Resiliency in Rural Communities for the Future of Work
Achieving the Dream’s Building Resiliency in Rural Communities initiative supports a cohort of seven rural colleges in helping students build digital skills.
Resources
Supporting Students’ Basic Needs with Case Management
A growing number of professionals working on and around college campuses are using case management to support students’ basic needs. Doing that work well requires a way to capture, track, and assess multiple types of data.
Case Briefs
Data-Driven Strategies for Teacher Shortages
Through a research partnership, we helped Washington state address its teacher shortage and increase teacher diversity.
Publications
Implementation of Career- and College-Ready Requirements for High School Graduation in Washington
We studied how Washington state school districts implemented the state’s new high school graduation requirements.
Publications
Limited Certificated Teachers in Washington: Barriers to Becoming Fully Certificated and Needed Supports
How can states like Washington overcome teacher shortages? We looked at the data on what teachers need to become fully certificated.
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.
Publications
Career and Technical Education in Oregon: Exploring Who Participates in High School and the Outcomes They Achieve
Which Oregon students participate in career and technical education programs—and what are the outcomes? We analyzed over ten years of data to find out.
Publications
Educator Retention and Turnover Under the Midnight Sun
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northwest at Education Northwest studied data to help Alaska improve educator turnover and retention rates.
Publications
Idaho's Educator Landscape: How Is the State’s Teacher Workforce Responding to Its Students’ Needs?
School districts in Idaho and other states are struggling with a growing student population and a declining teacher workforce. What can we learn from the data?
Publications
Supporting the Transition to College: Accelerated Learning Access, Outcomes, and Credit Transfer in Oregon
How does participation in accelerated learning help Oregon high school students? We analyzed K–12 records to find out.
Publications
Oregon Promise: Student Outcomes and Program Impacts
What were the reach and impacts of Oregon Promise—the second statewide promise program in the nation—on students’ postsecondary success?
Publications
State-Funded Preschool in the Last Frontier: Alaska’s Pre-Elementary Grant Program
Alaska created its Pre-Elementary Grants in 2016 to support locally designed preschool options. We studied the program and its outcomes.
Publications
A Snapshot of Educator Mobility in Montana: Understanding Issues of Educator Shortages and Turnover
Montana is one of many states facing teacher shortages. The Montana Rural Recruitment and Retention Task Force partnered with us to study data that might inform solutions.
Publications
Pathways to Teaching: Teacher Diversity, Testing, Certification, and Employment in Washington State
To support diversity in the workforce, we looked at where candidates tend to leave the six steps of the Washington state educator career pathway.
Press Release
Education Northwest Receives Federal Grant for Research on Supporting Low-income STEM Students’ Basic Needs
The NSF has awarded Education Northwest a $3 million grant to produce information about how publicly funded housing, health, and human services can better support low-income students’ access to STEM postsecondary pathways.
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.
Areas of Work
Educator Workforce Development
Recruit, prepare, and retain highly effective educators using research and evaluation, technical assistance, and learning design.
Insights
Bilingualism is America’s Future
Dr. Manuel Vazquez Cano reflects on his experiences in bilingual education—as a student and researcher.
Insights
We’ve Got Pride: Embracing Chosen Families to Equitably Support Youth
Queer youth often seek out chosen family to help them in school and life. What can we learn from this part of queer culture about how to support young people?
Insights
Data is a Tool to Tell a Story: Our Strategic Data Project Fellows
Strategic Data Project Fellows Annie Hemphill and Chasya Hiebert reflect on what data is, why it matters, and how we can use it to help all learners.
Insights
Research and Evaluation Expert Natalie Orozco Joins Education Northwest
Natalie Orozco brings a wealth of professional research and evaluation experience to her new role as a leader at Education Northwest.
General
Keeping Students at the Center
We designed and developed a suite of mobile-responsive, on-demand training modules on career readiness and leadership development to help SkillsUSA extend its reach and make its trainings more engaging and accessible.
General
Unlocking Effective Communication
We designed and developed a robust learning series that includes self-paced eLearning modules, instructor-led virtual workshops, 1:1 virtual coaching, and offline follow-up activities.
Press Release
Education Northwest Leads Limitless Learning Network to Increase Postsecondary Enrollment in Washington State
Education Northwest received a $1.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to manage the Limitless Learning Network.
Insights
Stephen Plank Joins Education Northwest Board of Directors
Plank brings more than 25 years of experience of research and evaluation in the education field.
Service Lines or Approaches
Collaborative Analysis Process
Equity reviews are a tool for identifying and addressing opportunity gaps faced by diverse groups in your education community.
Areas of Work
Basic Needs
Students are humans first. They deserve access to basic needs—food, housing, child care, transportation, and other financial support—that allow them to learn and succeed.
Areas of Work
Family Engagement
Leverage the expertise of parents and caregivers with evidence-based family engagement.
Insights
Don’t Take Your Foot Off the Gas: Making the Most of Early Literacy Reform
Dr. Mikkaka Overstreet and guest co-author Dr. Christine Pitts look at a crucial part of maintaining momentum in early literacy reform—implementation.
Resources
Exploring the Reach and Impact of Basic Needs Services at Postsecondary Institutions
This presentation featured findings from the ECMC Foundation Basic Needs Initiative second evaluation report that examined student access to basic needs services at 20 institutions supported by BNI grantees.
Insights
Looking Ahead in Native Ed: Celebrating the 2024 Nelson Scholars
The 2024 recipients of the Steven R. Nelson scholarship reflect on their experiences and the future of Native education.
General
Limitless, a Postsecondary Enrollment Learning Network
Limitless, a Postsecondary Enrollment Learning Network, brings together practitioners across Washington state who are leading the implementation of programs that support students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary education.
Insights
An Equity Model for Youth Mentoring
The Equity Model for Youth Mentoring—developed by Dr. Kristian Jones, EDNW’s Dr. Grace Gowdy, and Dr. Aisha Griffith—is guided by consideration of social justice and structural oppression.
Insights
Latine Heritage Month 2024: Getting to Know Latine Students
When educators build authentic relationships with Latine students, we can honor their culture and set students up for academic success.
Insights
From Status Quo to Sovereignty: A Framework for Tribally Specific Pedagogy
Our Indigenous Framework for Self-Determined Pedagogy engages Tribes and education systems to improve learning experiences for Native students.
Insights
Why Attendance Zone Boundaries Matter for Equity
Researcher Sarah Asson explains the equity implications of attendance zone boundaries—the lines on a map that determine which child attends which school in a district.
Insights
Literacy Lens: The Core Competencies of Transformative Education
How can states support school improvement? Senior Director Catherine Barbour outlines a formula for successful leadership.
Publications
Exploring the Long-Term Results of Beaverton’s Dual Language Programs
To support multilingual learners, Beaverton School District partnered with us to assess the impact of its dual language programs.
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.
Insights
Learning by Design
Learning by Design, brought to you by our instructional design team at Education Northwest. Instructional designers, like architects, must construct an environment that is functional, safe, and engaging.
Insights
Designing Digital Learning for All: Embracing Neurodiversity in Virtual Classrooms
These strategies and resources for inclusive learning design can improve equity and unlock the potential of neurodivergent learners.
Press Release
Education Northwest to Lead Federally Funded Comprehensive Center
The Region 11 Comprehensive Center at EDNW works to strengthen education systems and improve student outcomes in the Northwest region.
Publications
Louisiana State University’s Introduction to Computational Thinking: Implementation Fidelity Report
Louisiana State University’s Introduction to Computational Thinking course builds skills in problem solving, programming, and mathematics.
Areas of Work
Youth Engagement
Design, implement, and evaluate programs, systems, and policies that engage and prioritize young people in your community.
Case Briefs
Community Partnerships for Reengagement Initiative
Education Northwest partners with Washington state’s Open Doors program to help the youth furthest from justice to reengage with learning and pursue their goals.
Insights
A Legacy of Native Excellence: Revisiting the Indian Reading Series
Some of the creators of the Indian Reading Series—140 stories from nearly two dozen Tribes around the Northwest—reflect on how it came to be and why it remains a valuable resource today.
General
Unlocking the Power of ADAS for Driver Education Instructors
We partnered with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to design and develop three self-paced, interactive e-learning modules focusing on Advanced Driver-Assistance Technology for driver education instructors in Washington State.
Insights
Designing In-Person Training for All: Embracing Neurodiversity in the Classroom
People process information in different ways. Flexible environments, engagement options, and assessments can create effective learning for all.
Areas of Work
Dual Language
Dual language programs build the linguistic and academic skills of all students, especially English learners.
Resources
Trauma- and Resilience-Informed Practices for Postsecondary Education: A Guide
Using strategies in this guide, you can build a campus community that mitigates the negative impacts of trauma while promoting students’ resilience and long-term success.
Case Briefs
Guiding Governments to Build Cross-Sector Partnerships for Career Success
Working with the National Association of Counties, Education Northwest created tools to help local leaders promote cross-sector partnerships for education and employment.
Insights
Empowering Educators: A Collaborative Path to Integrating Teacher Preparation and Literacy Reform Initiatives
Educator preparation programs play an important role in state literacy reform plans. In Oregon, a community of practice is helping enable statewide changes in how children learn to read.
Insights
Level Up Learning: Gamification in Learning Design
Gamification elements can inspire and engage learners, especially those who do not connect with traditional teaching strategies.
Insights
Education Northwest Welcomes Chief Research Officer Allison Crean Davis
Allison will lead the research and evaluation team, drawing on her experience directing research and evidence-based technical assistance efforts at Westat, including the National Summer Learning and Enrichment Study and the National Comprehensive Center.
General
National Science Foundation S-STEM Hub Project
Resources and updates from our NSF S-STEM Hub, which is examining how public benefits can help low-income students succeed in college STEM programs.
Case Briefs
Developing Oregon’s Multilingual Learner Strategic Plan
The Oregon Department of Education partnered with us—with input from over 400 individuals in 60 focus groups—to develop a new Multilingual Strategic Plan for the state.
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.
Insights
To Improve CTE Participation, Look Beyond Federal Performance Indicators
Federal performance indicators for career and technical education programs can support continuous improvement. But to expand access and participation, educators should look to other data points.
Insights
Effective Design for Adult Learners
Adults learn differently from children. In this post, we explore principles, strategies, and resources to support adult learning, training, and coaching.
Publications
Effective Program Features and Practices for Reengaging Young Adults
What factors contribute to the success of school reengagement programs for young adults? The Annie E. Casey Foundation partnered with us to find out.
Insights
Technical Assistance That Works – Phase 1: Trust and Co-Develop
Building trust and collaboratively designing projects are key to effective and sustainable technical assistance.
Publications
Sponsored Dual Credit in Oregon: A Unique Dual Enrollment Teacher Qualification Design
Learn about Oregon’s unique dual enrollment model, designed to address challenges in the number of high school teachers qualified to teach dual credit.
Insights
Trauma and Resilience in Postsecondary Education
Learning environments informed by consideration of trauma benefit all students. Our updated guide offers strategies and resources for educators.
Case Briefs
Implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Edmonds
Edmonds School District—one of the most diverse in Washington state—partnered with us to help implement a multi-tiered system of support aligned with its strategic plan.
Insights
Funding Alone Won’t Fix Education: Why Accountability and Monitoring Are Essential for Student Success
States across the country are improving literacy rates using a combination of funding, strategic policies, monitoring, and implementation support.
Case Briefs
Supporting Multilingual Learners and Supplemental Intervention Services
North Thurston School District partnered with us to evaluate two of its programs—one for multilingual learners and the other for students receiving supplemental intervention services.
Case Briefs
Seattle Preschool Program Process Evaluation
Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning partnered with us and AIR to evaluate three Seattle Preschool Program classroom models.
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.
Resources
How to Boost Your Middle Schooler’s Math Confidence and Success
Learn about evidence-based ways for parents to reduce their child’s anxiety around math and foster skills and resilience for math success.
Resources
Two Classroom Strategies to Reduce Students’ Math Anxiety
What is math anxiety, and how can we stop it from spreading? This video demonstrates two evidence-based strategies for reducing elementary students’ math anxiety.
Resources
Two Strategies to Help Your Child Learn to Love Math
Help young children recognize, practice, and appreciate math in their daily lives with these two strategies.
Insights
Oregon’s Innovative Model for Dual Credit Is Building Teacher Capacity through Partnership
Sponsored dual credit uses flexible teacher qualification standards that local schools and colleges can adapt to their context.
Insights
For State Agencies, Virtual Learning Extends Capacity and Reach
eLearning is a convenient, customizable and cost-effective tool for state agencies looking to deliver high-impact training on any topic.
Insights
Technical Assistance That Works: From Collaboration to Capacity
Learn about phase 2 of the Education Northwest technical assistance approach: collaborative implementation.
Publications
Financial Knowledge and Basic Needs Insecurity Among Undergraduate Students
Can increasing financial knowledge among college students reduce basic needs insecurity? Explore our findings from nationally representative data.
Areas of Work
English Learner Newcomers
Support newcomer students to thrive in their new school—and new country—with asset-based systems and services.
Press Release
Improving Literacy with Family Engagement: Evaluating Springboard Collaborative’s After-School Literacy Model
The Overdeck Family Foundation awarded Education Northwest $1.25 million to conduct a randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy of Springboard’s after-school model.
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.
Resources
Scanning the Landscape of High School Alternatives
The report describes strategies to build better systems to support high school alternatives that empower young people to transform their lives and build momentum for their future.
General
Leadership
Jessica is an accomplished and passionate leader committed to improving outcomes and opportunities for underserved families, especially kids.
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, Education Northwest 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
Evaluation
Boost your impact 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
Engage, educate, and empower your audience with interactive virtual learning.
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
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.

Building a clear path toward better education for all, together

PARTNER WITH US

Never miss the latest resources and insights

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Areas of Work
  • What We Do
  • Insights
  • Resources
  • Our Work
 

Education Northwest
811 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1000
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503.275.9500

candid
 

Copyright Education Northwest © 2025 | Terms of Use