Reference Desk Sees Growth in 2009, Launches Database for 2010

REL-NEI’s free Reference Desk service saw considerable growth in 2009. Education stakeholders across the Northeast and Islands Region submitted some 300 questions, and REL-NEI researchers provided 3- to 5-page, quick-turnaround responses—drawing on studies, journal articles, and websites—to help practitioners and policymakers make decisions based on available evidence.

“Thank you so much for the information,” replied a Reference Desk user from Vermont’s Department of Education, in early January. “[This response] will be very helpful as we move from our ‘best practices’ research to concrete strategies for helping schools improve.”

“You and your team did a wonderful job finding a nice selection of resources; this will keep me going for quite a while,” responded another user inquiring about change in school culture. In this case, the response contained guidebooks and field books related to school change, as well as links to research and other documents.

The Reference Desk also can be useful to federally funded technical-assistance centers in the region. In December, the director of the Region II Equity Assistance Center said: “Thank you very much for this information; this was exactly what I was looking for.”

“Many of REL-NEI’s stakeholders need quick access to information when making decisions regarding resource allocation, curriculum planning, teacher training, student behavior, and a myriad other issues educators face on a daily basis,” says Reference Desk Manager Heidi Larson. “Reference Desk researchers sort through the research for them, drawing upon Institute of Education Sciences and other federally funded resources as well as electronic databases and other sources to compile the best evidence in the time allotted.”

Half the questions received by the Reference Desk in 2009 focused on issues related to low-performing schools, school improvement, educational equity, and special populations. Here are representative examples:

What does research say about successful action steps and strategies for school improvement?
What does the research say about whether the Co-Teaching Model is directly related to or responsible for increased IEP student achievement, including mastery of core subject material?
What research exists on grade configurations and different academic transition points, especially concerning social engagement and academic achievement?

Responses typically are emailed to requestors within two weeks.

In some cases, Reference Desk research helps influence state or local decision-making. For example, officials in Meriden, Conn., used the Reference Desk when they proposed reducing the number of tiers in their academic leveling system. (See related story.)

REL-NEI’s weekly online Reference Desk Digest, which was launched in July, also is growing in popularity. Each week, the Digest features a new Reference Desk question paired with its response. Popular Digests address questions about research on elementary mathematics programs, alternative certification for teachers, and dropout-prevention programs for students in the younger high school grades. Reference Desk questions can be viewed online by topic, by state, and by the four American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) education assurances.

Later this winter, watch for a new searchable database featuring all Reference Desk questions and responses logged since April 2008. This new database will provide 24/7 access to a wealth of research resources that address critical education priorities across the region.

Ask your education question today!