Value-Added Research in Milwaukee Public Schools

November 1, 2010

For the past seven years WCER staff have worked with Milwaukee Public Schools district staff to develop their capacity to analyze and make full use of data on students and schools. An "embedded researcher" has spent time between WCER and the Milwaukee Schools’ Division of Research and Assessment, evaluating programs and researching district improvement efforts. This work has included evaluating summer school programs, a single-gender classroom initiative at a middle school, and a partnership between Milwaukee Schools and the city’s Recreation Arts program. Ongoing work includes the establishment of a postsecondary tracking system for MPS graduates and an evaluation of year-round and extended-year schooling options.