In many sectors, research and development (R&D) is an integral part of day-to-day operations. In healthcare, for example, research often happens in hospitals right alongside patient care. This gives researchers and practitioners the ability to test evidence-based innovations in real-life situations, draw lessons from those experiences, and apply the results in the hospital setting in a sustainable and scalable way.
Research doesn’t look like this in K-12 education. Of course there is ample research focused on education, but there is no formal system for research and development within schools themselves. Every day, in classrooms across Massachusetts, educators are testing new and innovative ideas with their students. But without a formal structure or dedicated support system, these ideas often fail to gain attention or traction at the district and state levels, and they rarely serve as a basis for driving systemic change. Most of the time, these ideas go no further than the school in which they were created, while others remain unaware of their promise.
We want to change that. In order to address glaring and persistent gaps in opportunities and outcomes for students, it is critical to build into the structure of education a better approach to identifying, adapting, and spreading effective practices. We want schools to have functioning R&D operations with the resources, time, and support they need to really explore and activate new ideas.
That’s why in September 2023 we launched the Rennie R&D Labs, a first-of-its-kind endeavor to fully embed research processes within our mainstream public school system. Our team is currently working with educators at five schools to test new practices and apply lessons learned, while working closely with policymakers and practitioners to scale successful outcomes.
We’re working with the McDevitt Middle School in Waltham to assess and refine its recently developed Newcomer Program. At the Boston Adult Technical Academy, we’re partnering with practitioners to develop impact metrics for alternative schools. We’re teaming up with Fenway High School in Boston to support students in building academic self-efficacy and persistence in early college programming. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership joined this project to create simulated internships for students to experience healthcare careers. And we’re working with the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers in Boston on their efforts to develop an incentive-based scholarship program for college, career, and life readiness skills.
For more information on our R&D Labs please contact Rennie Center Senior Director of Research Annelise Buzaid.