Purpose
The Methods Training for Special Education Research (Methods Training) program supports training of current education researchers to maintain and enhance their research and analysis skills to conduct rigorous and relevant research focused on learners with or at risk for disabilities. Supported training should respond to the ongoing development and adaptation of methods concerning the design of early intervention and special education studies, analysis of the data collected, and practical interpretation and dissemination of the results.
For FY 2027, NCSER is only accepting applications for Methods Training focused on analyzing large administrative datasets to address research questions related to learners with or at risk for disabilities. The training should provide support to education researchers, including individuals working in state and local education agencies, in acquiring the skills necessary to clean, merge, analyze, and interpret data from large administrative datasets (e.g., statewide longitudinal data systems, data from digital learning platforms) for the purpose of better understanding outcomes for learners with or at risk for disabilities and/or informing policy and programmatic decisions related to these learners.