Durham Public Schools' (DPS) new strategic plan highlights a growing collaboration with Duke's Center for Child and Family Policy.
Released this week, the strategic plan underscores how DPS will continue to expand its existing partnership with the center to effectively address specific challenges in a time of extremely constrained budgets.
Center scholars and some undergraduate students are leading a number of intervention programs and research studies with DPS support. In addition, DPS leaders regularly consult with Duke faculty members about programs and policies, such as reading and math learning, social behavior of high-risk children, and policies about teacher recruitment.
"Much of our work deals with solving complex social problems that have multiple layers of determinants," said Board of Education member Heidi Carter. "We are very lucky to have in our own backyard resident experts on child policy issues and program evaluation... Duke in turn can benefit from our relationship by learning about the research questions to which policy makers and administrators are seeking answers."
Through Duke's School Research Partnership projects, the center matches undergraduate students with DPS leaders who have identified a specific educational issue they need researched. Issues covered during past semesters have included the effect of school nutrition on student learning, alternatives to school suspension, and best practices for after-school tutoring programs.
Students benefit from direct interaction with school leaders including principals, Superintendent Eric Becoats and Board of Education members.
"Not only have I enjoyed spending time with these young idealists, I have also depended on them for information that my board colleagues and I might not have had time to research and discover on our own," Carter said. "I will use the information and recommendations they have prepared to design better programs and policies for our school system."
Center Director Ken Dodge said faculty members are thrilled about the growing partnership with DPS. "DPS Board members and administrative leadership have great vision," Dodge said. "And we feel fortunate that they want to include our faculty members and students in the task of educating the children of Durham."