Overview
Teachers 21 is in a unique position. As a leading provider of professional development to districts across Massachusetts and the region, we have forged strong partnerships with urban, suburban, and rural school districts. All our professional development is inspired and informed by the recommendations of leading research. In turn, we evaluate our own work in order to continuously improve our practice in schools and districts and to add knowledge to the field about what works and why it works
We have a specific approach to conducting research; Our goal is to produce research that is useful and practical for practitioners and also has an impact on local, state, and national policy.
Research Approach
I. Research: We investigate existing research about a specific topic (such as secondary reform). We gather and synthesize the available knowledge on the topic, learning both from academic research and from practitioner knowledge and experience.
II. Conceptualization: We conceptualize the “problem”. We draw on the knowledge gained from conducting preliminary research to advance a practical, informed, and innovative response to a particular issue. We seek partnerships to help conceptualize and advance the newly-designed model.
III. Development: We pilot the model and gather new knowledge from these pilots. We actively seek partners including funders, district or school partners, and other educational stakeholders interested in the model proposed.
IV. Implementation Research/Evaluation: We implement the model in a practical setting over a period of time, and we gather information/data about the model to improve teaching, leading, and learning. This stage may involve several partners, from school partners to research partners to policy partners.
V. Dissemination and Integration: We disseminate the knowledge gained through traditional academic and practitioner publications but we also utilize the lessons learned to improve our revenue generation by developing new products or programs (e.g. we provide new professional development that draws from the lessons learned) and we use the knowledge gained to impact policy at the local, state, and national level.