Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI)
Mission Statement and Overview
CAREI's mission is to improve the quality of education
for all learners through neutral, rigorous research and evaluation of
educational contexts and initiatives.
CAREI facilitates the connections between organizations and groups serving
the needs of children and families: schools, community agencies and groups,
state and federal agencies and the College of Education and Human Development.
Promoting Linkage:
CAREI was founded in 1986 to strengthen the connection between the resources
of the University of Minnesota and local, state, and national initiatives
to promote school improvement.
Practitioner-to-practitioner linkage:
Efforts such as the Web66 project, developed with funding from the CEHD
and 3M, provide means for teachers to share information about curriculum
and practice. Web66 is the most popular educational website in the US.
School district membership:
CAREI offers membership to school districts in Minnesota. Modest dues from
districts support collaborative research, conferences and colloquia, and
regular meetings to bring member districts together around current issues
of school improvement. Click here to view current
CAREI members.
Collaborative research projects:
Since its inception CAREI has funded nearly 100 projects involving collaboration
between University faculty and students, and classroom teachers. All projects
must affirm the importance of mutual respect and common goals among university
and school-based researchers, and demonstrate how research can be valuable
in addressing educational issues.
A "point of entry" to the University:
CAREI maintains a website, Youth & U, that provides information about all
projects and programs located at the University of Minnesota focusing on
youth development. In addition, CAREI promotes personal linkage between
educational practitioners and policy makers with educational experts within
the College of Education of Education and Human Development.
Applied Research and Evaluation:
CAREI's work is supported by grants and contracts for independent evaluation
and policy research of school district or community-based programs, state
agency-funded programs, and projects operated through other centers and
departments within the College and University.
CAREI facilitates and conducts studies to provide empirical information
about issues confronting schools and education.
Local evaluations:
CAREI provides fee-based independent evaluations of school district programs
and related projects within the University of Minnesota. Limited matching
funds are available for member districts. Recent studies have examined school
starting times, block scheduling, the instructional use of technology, the
effectiveness of teacher development programs, and the role of art education
in enhancing school effectiveness.
State evaluations:
CAREI works with state agencies to design and carry out assessments of programs
that lead to comparable data across a number of grantees or sites. Recent
projects have focused on Minnesota's educational accountability system,
family service collaboratives and the use of alternative school schedules
to enhance student learning.
National studies:
With funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and private
foundations, CAREI examines the effects of national programs to improve
the quality of education. Current projects focus on science and mathematics
education, and the role of school counselors in increasing academic achievement
of all students.
Current Research Sponsors:
National Science Foundation; Annenberg Foundation; DeWitt Wallace Foundation;
Bell Museum; University of Minnesota.
CAREI informs educators about current research and improves avenues for
schools and universities to contribute to and use educational research in
the development of policies and practices.
Dissemination and Technical Assistance:
CAREI provides assistance and support to member school districts, the State
of Minnesota, federal agencies and foundations related to program evaluation
and design. Staff members also collaborate with CEHD faculty in training
school staff to implement educational innovations.
Research/Practice:
A bi-annual newsletter shared with all school districts in Minnesota (also
available to others on the CAREI web-site) shares recent research on specific
educational topics. Recent topics include:
- Resiliency
- Reforms in science and mathematics education
- The effects of teacher collaboration on school environment
Evaluation Design:
CAREI provides limited consulting to member districts and state agencies
in program evaluation and design. One of CAREI's objectives is to support
improvement of district capabilities to engage in action research and data-based
improvement efforts.
Support for research-to-practice programs:
CAREI provides administrative support for CEHD faculty members whose research
can be extended into programs affecting multiple school sites. Recent efforts
include the Early Intervention Reading program (EIR), and teacher professional
growth to promote more effective instruction in the social sciences. CEHD
academic departments and external funding support the initial development
of these initiatives.
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