The following resources focus on the educational climate and betterment of those serving the K–12 educational community.

New Evidence on the Benefits of Small Group Math Instruction for Young Children

Over the last few decades there has been a heavy emphasis on increasing literacy skills among low-income children, however, much less emphasis has been placed on improving the early math skills of students in low-income schools. A possible response to this situation would be small-group interventions designed to build young children’s math skills.  (Brookings Institute)

The Illinois Report Card

This is a great source for information about public schools across Illinois. This online school report card goes beyond test scores to present a complete view of schools and school districts.

Got STEM Funding? Here’s How to Use It 

This three-pronged approach will help districts maximize their STEM investment. (eSchool News)

Self-Assessment Tool for Secondary Learning

This is a tool for parents, educators, and administrators to assess the performance of their schools according to guidelines informed by new, cutting-edge, competency-based research in education from around the world.

What Impact Might School Funding Reform Have on Postsecondary Outcomes?

Illinois recently undertook a major overhaul of its school funding formula, moving from a regressive method of resource allocation toward an evidence-based system for distributing resources across districts. Proponents advocating for the change emphasized the need for the shift to better ensure equitable educational opportunities. So what can Illinois expect in terms of student outcomes as a result of this shift?  A new IERC report authored by Derek Houston, Public School Funding and Postsecondary Outcomes in Illinois: What Is Reasonable to Expect from Illinois’ School Funding Reforms?, provides some insights into this question.