Research for Action

Multipurpose out-of-school time (OST) organizations are experts in building strong, supportive bonds with and among youth. That’s why, when introducing high-quality arts programming, these organizations must expand these relationships to support creative risk-taking and skill-building.

Tracey A. Hartmann, Wendy McClanahan, Mark Duffy, Leana Cabral, Carolyn Barnes, Ph.D, Brian Christens, Ph.D The Wallace Foundation commissioned Research for Action and McClanahan Associates to study how out-of-school time intermediaries (OSTIs) responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the role they could play in supporting communities moving forward. Citywide out-of-school…

By Kri Burkander Overview Many community colleges across the U.S. have established developmental education courses (DE) as a way to help incoming students meet readiness standards for college-level math and English courses. While DE courses were designed to help students strengthen their academic preparedness, research indicates that DE requirements are more often an obstacle to degree completion.

Kri Burkander, Dae Y. Kim, Lauren Schudde, Mark Duffy, Taylor Stenley, Alita Robinson, Julia Ransom, Justis Freeman, Alexis O’Herrick, Lindsey Liu California’s Assembly Bill (AB) 705, passed in 2017 and taking effect in fall 2019, fundamentally changed the postsecondary pathways available to students entering community college in the state. The law required colleges to revise their…

In Allegheny County, schools are working to create safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments, but disparities in discipline continue to affect students’ opportunities and experiences. Black students, particularly Black girls, remain disproportionately impacted by exclusionary practices and school-based arrests, with Pittsburgh Public Schools arresting students at eight times the rate of Philadelphia Public Schools despite similar state laws.

By Tracey Hartmann High-quality arts programs find ways to showcase youth art—though culminating events like art exhibitions, listening parties, and film screenings. These events offer young people formative, pre-professional artistic experiences, and enable youth to realize that their creative expression matters. Culminating events can also open doors to new networks and opportunities in and beyond the arts.

Tracey A. Hartmann, Wendy McClanahan, Mark Duffy, Leana Cabral, Carolyn Barnes, Ph.D, Brian Christens, Ph.D The Wallace Foundation commissioned Research for Action and McClanahan Associates to study how out-of-school time intermediaries (OSTIs) responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the role they could play in supporting communities moving forward. Citywide out-of-school…

By Tracey Hartmann Multipurpose out-of-school time (OST) organizations often aspire to hold high expectations for young people. But in the arts, “high expectations” require more than the “popsicle sticks and googly eyes” arts-and-crafts model that these organizations typically offer.

Tracey A. Hartmann, Wendy McClanahan, Mark Duffy, Leana Cabral, Carolyn Barnes, Ph.D, Brian Christens, Ph.D The Wallace Foundation commissioned Research for Action and McClanahan Associates to study how out-of-school time intermediaries (OSTIs) responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the role they could play in supporting communities moving forward. Citywide out-of-school…

What happens when the educational opportunities for incarcerated learners are fundamentally changed by the passage of education reform legislation? In 2017, the California state legislature embarked on significant developmental education reforms, which were designed to streamline developmental education by creating clear pathways to course placement, eliminating prolonged remedial course sequences, and providing targeted supports in math and English at community colleges.