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Research Programs

NCER supports rigorous research that contributes to the solution of significant education problems in the United States. Through its research initiatives and the national research and development centers, NCER engages in research activities that will result in the provision of high quality education for all children, improvement in student academic achievement, reduction in the achievement gap between high-performing and low-performing students, and increased access to and opportunity for postsecondary education.

FY 2015 RFA Surveys: Findings and Suggestions for Improvement
This document is the RFA Survey Report which describes the methods used for the FY 2015 and FY 2014 surveys, explains their results, and summarizes applicants' suggestions for RFA improvement. The purpose of the surveys was to obtain feedback from applicants regarding the clarity of the requirements and information provided in three RFAs: The Education Research Grants program (CFDA # 84.305A), Special Education Research Grants program (CFDA # 84.324A), and the Partnerships and Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice or Policy program (CFDA # 84.305H). The Institute will use the feedback from the surveys to improve future RFAs.
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Findings from the National Center for Education Research: 2002–2011
This document provides highlights of NCER funding between 2002–2011. With this funding, advances have been made in our understanding of how best to support student academic learning, the limitations and strengths of current teacher professional development programs, and features of policies intended to improve student access to, persistence in, and completion of school.
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Publications Emerging From Research Funded through the National Center for Education Research as of December 12, 2013
This document contains a list of publications (as of November 30, 2013) that have resulted from approximately 760 research grants funded through IES/NCER since 2002. The publications, intended for both the scientific community as well the general public, are on a range of topics from basic translational research to curriculum design and testing to the evaluation of state education policies. Publications are grouped within the topic area under which the grants were funded and arranged by the year that the grant was awarded. Where applicable, related grant projects and project websites are noted and links to publications that are listed in the IES ERIC database are provided. This list will be updated regularly to include new articles as they are published, so please check our website periodically for updated material.
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National Center for Education Research Projects and Programs 2002–2008
This booklet is a compilation of all the research grants and contracts and the training grants that NCER has awarded since NCER's first year (2002), when the Institute of Education Sciences was established. The projects listed here represent a new generation of education research—research that is rigorous, relevant, and intended to improve the quality of education in the United States.
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