DSA Research Projects and Summaries
Over the last decade, a call for “evidence-based practices” has saddled school districts with the responsibility of using research to inform their instructional and even organizational decisions.
Yet, research is abundant and staying abreast of new findings can be challenging for busy practitioners. In 2019, the Ingham ISD decided to publish regular research summaries as one way to help synthesize empirical literature on topics requested by local districts. We hope they encourage discussion and inform future decision-making.
If you have questions about the summaries or would like additional information, please contact Lindsay Wood.
Completed Summaries
Advanced Placement (AP) Programs
Participation in Advanced Placement (AP) programming continues to grow, but does the program warrant its increasing popularity? This review highlights the considerations districts should make when deciding the direction of their honors and AP courses.
Background Music and Learning
Students often want to listen to background music while completing assignments, but does such music facilitate or hinder learning? This research review unpacks the question.
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is currently a popular topic in the world of education research. This research summary describes what formative assessment is, why is is important for teaching/learning, and how teachers can use it effectively in their classrooms.
Formative Assessment Research Summary
Formative Assessment Resources
Presentation by Lindsay Burris and Andrew Shauver discussing Formative Assessment
Grade Level Configuration
How to group students across buildings is one of the most basic organizational decisions district leaders face, yet research suggests that various configurations impact the social and academic development of students. This research summary explores the benefits and challenges of the most popular configurations across our nation.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessment is an important part of a balanced assessment system. This research summary explores ways teachers can improve their classroom summative assessments.
Summative Assessment Research Summary
Ingham ISD's Lindsay Burris and Kelly Trout visited #517EdTech's Digital Instruction Network to discuss Summative Assessment
Talent Management in the Information Technology Sector
Given the prominence of technology in today's 21st-century classrooms, a robust information technology (IT) staff is critical. However, school districts nationwide report challenges with attracting and retaining good IT talent. This research summary explores evidence-based strategies for building and maintaining a skilled workforce.
"Talent Management in the Information Technology Sector" Research Summary
The Effectiveness of Homework
The value of homework has been debated for decades, but research suggests that the practice isn’t entirely “good” or “bad.” Rather, the impact depends on a variety of factors summarized in this review.
