ABOUT RESEARCH SERVICES AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
The Departments of Research Services and Program Evaluation conduct institutional research/management studies, evaluate programs and initiatives, and prepare statistical reports for the District. Staff coordinate the administration and distribution of the results for District-developed surveys, such as the annually administered School Climate Surveys (parents, students, and staff), and state/national surveys, including the Florida Youth Survey.
Research Services prepares comprehensive long and short-term student enrollment projections required by the District to satisfy the conditions of the Florida Education Finance Program, is responsible for state-mandated data collection activities and responds to data requests/surveys from outside agencies including the Educational Research Service, Council of Great City Schools, and National School Board Association, Research Services is also responsible for preparing reports on international assessments such as International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Program.
Program Evaluation carries out formal evaluation studies of District initiatives and federally mandated programs, such as the annual Title I Evaluation, required through the “Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015). The Chairperson of the Research Review Committee (RRC) manages applications to conduct research in the district from anyone outside the public school system, or from employees seeking university degrees. In addition, the Department oversees the selection and reviews submissions of external evaluators who are contracted to conduct evaluations as part of District grants and awards.
The Departments publish a variety of reports and publications, including the District’s Statistical Highlights, an annually compiled summary of information about the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Various contemporary topics in educational research are also addressed in Information Capsules and Research Briefs published by Research Services staff. Evaluation Reports, with findings from formal evaluation studies, and Evaluation Matters, with short summaries of analyses, are published by Program Evaluation staff.
