About the Partnership

  • In 2015, ICCSD began this research-practice partnership with the University of Iowa Public Policy Center to help address the disparities in our District and work toward achieving our goal “that all students can achieve at high levels and that equitable classrooms are essential to their success.” The broad aim of this research partnership is to improve the equitability of school experiences for students in our school district by collaborating with the University to provide research expertise and capacity to conduct data collection and analysis, and to project, implement and design research-based solutions to existing disparities.

    Dr. Sarah Bruch, Director of the Social and Education Research Program at the University of Iowa Public Policy Center, is the principal investigator leading the partnership. Using a research-practice model, this partnership leverages social science and education policy research and practitioner knowledge to more effectively address persistent problems of policy and practice and improve students’ educational opportunities and outcomes. The partnership provides a structure for long-term collaboration and provides an avenue to develop a research agenda together so that the questions asked are of direct interest to district decision-makers.

    For more information about the partnership, please see the Equity Implemented Partnership website.

Publications

Infographic of partnership

  • (Text from above infographic: "1. Conceptualization- Researchers from the Public Policy Center and the ICCSD Director of Equity determined District needs and strategic direction, with a focus on student experiences and school climate, with flexibility to explore areas of interest and student subgroups. 2. Needs Assessment - Student and teacher surveys are administered each year to assess experiences of school climate. 3. Focus Areas - Survey results are analyzed to identify areas of focus. Focus areas have included dimensions of school climate (specifically, teacher and mentor relationships, inclusive community, and disciplinary environment), and student subgroups, specifically, LGBTQ students. 4. Task Force- A multi-stakeholder task force convenes to discuss strategies to improve student experiences and reduce disparities. The task force ensures that diverse stakeholder perspectives are used in the decision-making process. 5. Implementation- The ICCSD implements equity initiatives across selected schools, in alignment with task force recommendations. Programming includes implicit bias and restorative justice professional development.6. Evaluation- Equity programming initiatives are evaluated using results from surveys given to students, teachers, and professional development participants. Evaluation results are used to improve programming initiatives and inform District decision-making.")