The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

CDE Research and Evaluation

Using Information for Insight about Student Performance

CDE defines research to include data analyses, survey results, program evaluations, literature reviews, and formal research studies that provide answers to critical questions that help CDE advance its strategic goals.

We believe that in order to find better student outcomes it will require asking better questions. The answers reveal themselves with better research designs. Sharing these insights can change conversations and policy practices in both the classroom and the board room.

Jo O'Brien, Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Projects and Research

Dianne Lefly, Director of Office of Research and Evaluation

201 E. Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203-1799

Phone: (303) 866-6763
Fax: (303) 866-6680

Data & Research Requests
 

Right Questions

Insightful Design

Research Delivered

New Conversations
Discover new angles of thought Meaningful Analyses Indexed inventory of research reports Improved Use of Available Resources
Question assumptions Relevant Literature Reviews   Improved Strategic Conversations
Align to state strategic goals Intentional Program Evaluation (ROI) One page "So What"  briefs for educators and policy leaders on 2013 CDE research findings Smarter Practices to Improve Student Performance
Shape better questions to leverage better student outcomes Intelligent Surveys Which Uncover Issues   Smarter Policies to Improve Student Results

The Colorado Department of Education has some of the richest data sets in American public education. In order to better leverage this information and focus resources on critical insights, CDE will soon be making available a series of findings.

Definition of Research for CDE

CDE defines research to include data analyses, survey results, program evaluations, literature reviews, and formal research studies that provide answers to critical questions that help CDE advance its strategic goals.

 

Principles to Guide CDE’s Research Priorities

  • Answer critical questions that will help the state achieve its goals
  • Advance Colorado’s targeted outcomes for all students Inform state policy leaders and classroom educators
    regarding large scale reform investments of monies and effort
  • Reveal effective use of taxpayer dollars and help CDE distinguish between projects that need improvement and those that need to be eliminated
  • Be relevant, useful and accessible to CDE staff and the field
  • Enhance Colorado’s ability to:
    • Predict, identify, and diagnose implementation gaps;
    • Understand performance trends and the drivers of those trends;
    • Determine the impact of and/or return on investment of our efforts; and/or
    • Identify effective interventions and best practices worthy of using statewide

Principles to Guide CDE’s Research Approach to Research

CDE’s research team will examine student performance data targeted within the state’s strategic education plan for areas needing greater attention. Discerning research questions will be assembled by relevant units across the organization. The team will then prioritize those that have the greatest likelihood of dramatically improving student performance. CDE’s research team will prepare a draft research agenda for review and approval by Cabinet. Upon approval, the research agenda questions will guide the work of the research team, outreach to partners, and engagement in grants/studies.

 

CDE’s Research Partners

CDE has worked with a range of research partners who have helped us address critical questions. CDE encourages others to consider working with us.   Earlier partners include:

  • WestEd and the Southwest Comprehensive Center
  • RELCentral
  • RMC Research
  • Colorado Department of Higher Education
  • Colorado Department of Health and Human Services and other state agency partners
  • Early Childhood Outcome Center
  • Institutions of Higher Education
  • Hanover Research
  • Select doctoral students