Time: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. CT

Location: In-person training at Embassy Suites in La Vista, Nebraska

Description: REL Central will provide a training focused on building the capacity of Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) and Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) leadership and staff to conduct annual identification of rural districts that have narrowed achievement gaps. The session has three objectives: (1) to describe the decision points and considerations for the identification of rural districts that have closed student achievement gaps; (2) to review the design and findings from an analysis of Nebraska gap-closure data from 2013 to 2016; (3) to review data analysis, syntax, and reporting in SPSS programming; and (4) to discuss additional questions, concerns, and expected challenges raised by training participants. This training will enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills to identify selection criteria, conduct data analysis, and facilitate discussions among educators in Nebraska about rural districts that have closed student achievement gaps.

Partnership or Research Alliance: Rural Education Research Alliance

Audience: Invited participants include NRCSA and NDE leadership and staff who are responsible for conducting and sustaining the process of annual identification of rural districts that have narrowed achievement gaps.

Speakers: Shelley H. Billig, REL Central
Emma V. Espel, REL Central