Collaborative Research in Urban Education

The program funded by this grant is designed to put in place a unique structure for a high degree of collaboration between large urban school districts and senior researchers with established records of high quality research. Research is carried out by Senior Fellows in Urban Education selected on a competitive basis to carry out specific work described in their proposals. Under the grant, the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS) works with a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) composed of senior scholars in education and practitioners with experience in leadership positions in urban districts to develop research priorities and specific criteria for awards and assist in selection of Senior Fellows awardees. The structured involvement of district leadership, CGCS, and RAC is intended to serve several objectives: (a) research relevance, (b) increased perceived relevance, (c) on-going dialogue (d) district support and flexibility, (e) greater likelihood of research use, and (f) better informed districts as consumers of research in general.