Rigorous, high-quality research is at the core of CRESP’s mission.

Our experienced staff engages in a variety of methods to understand how, why, and if programs or policies are effective. We conduct both qualitative and quantitative research and maintain staff expertise in:

  • applied policy research investigating public health and educational innovations and interventions;
  • program evaluation;
  • quantitative analyses of large administrative, state, regional, and national databases;
  • qualitative methods to promote knowledge of important, but difficult-to-measure characteristics of programs and collaborative partnerships;
  • randomized controlled field trials;
  • longitudinal studies of changes over time that combine data from disparate sources; and
  • application of statistical methods from economics, engineering, and other disciplines to social programs and policies.

CRESP researchers are trained in evaluation methodology, randomized field experiments, natural experiments, qualitative methods, statistical analysis, and survey research. 


NEW BOOK RELEASE

Sue Giancola, CRESP Senior Associate Director, recently published Program Evaluation: Embedding Evaluation into Program Design and Development. This book provides an in-depth examination of the foundations, methods, and relevant issues in the field of evaluation. With an emphasis on an embedded approach, where evaluation is an explicit part of a program that leads to the refinement of the program, students will learn how to conduct effective evaluations that foster continual improvement and enable data-based decision making. This text provides students with both the theoretical understanding and the practical tools to conduct effective evaluations while being rigorous enough for experienced evaluators looking to expand their approach to evaluation. Purchase a copy here.


Taking the Pulse: UD and Community Engagement

Taking the Pulse: UD and Community Engagement is a recently completed evaluation of how UD is engaging members of its own and surrounding communities. Learn more.

Partner with CRESP on Evaluation Research

Contact CRESP’s Lead Evaluation Researcher
Learn More About Faculty Affiliates
Check Out Our Partner Institutions

Projects

CREATEd
November 30, 2021 – July 31, 2025
Funder: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

CREATEd – collaboration, research, equity, and action together in education – aims to improve equitable educational opportunities and outcomes nationally by leveraging knowledge in the research and practice communities in ways that promote stronger, mo …

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District Research Leaders as Knowledge Mobilizers and Brokers
June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2023
Funder: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The role of district research leaders (DRLs) in central offices has emerged as a strategy for improving the creation, flow, and use of research knowledge in decision-making. However, there is limited information about the responsibilities, opportunitie …

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An Efficacy Follow-Up Study of the Long-Term Effects of Reading Recovery Under the i3 Scale-Up
August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2022
Funder: Institute of Education Sciences, US Department of Education

The purpose of the Efficacy Follow-up Study of the Long-Term Effects of Reading Recovery is to test the sustained efficacy of Reading Recovery (RR), an intensive one-on-one reading instruction program for the lowest-achieving first grade students, on s …

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Center for Research Use in Education
August 31, 2015 – July 31, 2022
Funder: Institute of Education Sciences

With funding from the Institute of Education Sciences, the Center for Research Use in Education (CRUE) seeks to expand the understanding of how to improve the relationship between research and practice in the K-12 educational space. In addition, the ce …

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Future Faculty Workshop
July 1, 2016 – August 31, 2019
Funder: National Science Foundation

The Future Faculty Workshop (FFW) is an annual workshop designed to engage doctoral students and other aspiring academics in the science and engineering field. The goal of the workshop is to enhance the preparation, confidence, and motivation of women …

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ADVANCE
August 15, 2014 – July 31, 2019
Funder: National Science Foundation

ADVANCE is a five-year grant awarded in 2014 to the University of Delaware intended to increase the representation of women faculty in all STEM and social science departments. CRESP staff conducts the internal, formative evaluation of the ADVANCE progr …

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Partner4CS
August 15, 2016 – July 31, 2019
Funder: National Science Foundation

The goal of the Partner4CS project is to support Computer Science teachers through evidence-based professional development and support the teaching and learning of Computer Science within diverse populations.  The project accomplished this mission thro …

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Delaware Early Childhood Assistive Technology Demonstration (DECATD)
January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2018
Funder: Office of Education, U.S. Department of Education

The DECATD project promotes the use of assistive technology (AT) of all kinds for young children with disabilities. They aim to achieve this goal through strategies such as clinician training, developing an AT planning tool, expanding access to AT, sup …

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INCLUDE/WeC4Communities
November 1, 2016 – October 31, 2018
Funder: National Science Foundation

The WeC4Communities project aims to broaden STEM participation of underrepresented minority youth in grades 5-8. Through informal learning environments in local public libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs, underrepresented youth are provided with oppor …

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IGERT
July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2018
Funder: National Science Foundation

The Systems Biology of Cells in Engineered Environment IGERT program focuses on creating an innovative graduate curriculum. This curriculum intend to nurture an appreciation for systems biology and cells in engineered environments, and train students i …

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Middle School Mathematics Coaching
July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Funder: Delaware Department of Education State Line

The Delaware Department of Education has funded a math coaching program which placed instructional coaching in high-needs Delaware public schools. The goal of the coaching program is to improve mathematics instruction and ultimately, student achievemen …

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Early School Attendance
July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Funder: Delaware Department of Education State Line

The Delaware Department of Education is working with CRESP to investigate Kindergarten through third-grade attendance in Delaware public schools, and its relationship with academic achievement. Publications: Center for Research in Education and Social …

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Christina School District Sarah Pyle Academy
April 12, 2017 – March 1, 2018
Funder: Christina School District

Sarah Pyle Academy, located within the Christina School District, was established to support the needs of students who have not experienced success in traditional school environments at other Christina School District High Schools and help those studen …

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Title II (ARTC+ and D2)
August 15, 2017 – November 30, 2017
Funder: U.S. Department of Education

The Title II grant funds two projects, the Alternative Routes to Certification Plus (ARTC+) and Design for Design (D2) programs. Both of these programs are aimed at building the content and pedagogical knowledge of Delaware teachers working in high-nee …

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Delaware Transition to Teaching Partnership (DT3P)
June 1, 2013 – September 30, 2017
Funder: Office of Education, U.S. Department of Education

The Delaware Transition to Teaching Partnership (DT3P) program aims to recruit, support, and retain a supply of highly qualified secondary English, Mathematics, Technology, and Science teachers in high-needs Delaware schools. The program supports teach …

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