Research and Evaluation

Research and evaluation is an area of expertise located within OPR. The mission of this group is to improve the use of data and research findings to influence program and policy decision-making within the agency and the field, including DESE's goal of preparing all students for success after high school and the agency's five strategies. DESE has defined a research agenda related to the agency's goals and strategies so that we can improve their implementation and measure their outcomes.

Our Strategies

To conduct data analysis and design tools, processes, and evaluations to serve DESE program offices and other key constituencies
To manage external evaluations and disseminate evaluation findings of DESE programs and initiatives, with a focus on

Recent Evaluations

Visit the DESE Reports page to see all program evaluations.

Massachusetts Innovation Pathway & Early College Pathway Program Evaluation Impact Report (June 2020)

High Quality College and Career Pathways Program Evaluation Report: Sustaining and Scaling Early College and Innovation Pathway Programs (May 2020)

Evaluation of the Statewide STEM Advanced Placement Program: Year 4 Teacher Survey Results 2016 (February 2017)

Evaluation of Level 4 School Turnaround Efforts in Massachusetts: Part 1. Implementation Study (September 2016)

Evaluation of Level 4 School Turnaround Efforts in Massachusetts: Part 2. Impact of School Redesign Grants (September 2016)

How to Succeed in School Turnaround: Strategies That Characterize Successful Turnaround Schools in Massachusetts (September 2016)

Overview of 2016 Turnaround Practices Evaluation and Resources (September 2016)

Tool/Model Development

District Analysis and Review Tool (DART)
- DART for Districts
- DART for Schools
- English Language Learners DART
- Staffing and Finance DART
Early Warning Indicator System (EWIS)

Note to Researchers

Researchers interested in working with Massachusetts data should contact OPR for more information.

Last Updated: January 26, 2021