Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation
Established in 2023, VCU’s Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation (ICRE):
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Designs and leads a wide variety of research and evaluation efforts focused on transforming systems and improving the outcomes of individuals, organizations and communities.
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Provides pre- and post-award methodological support for funded projects.
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Coordinates professional learning opportunities on research methods with a focus on collaborative and community-engaged approaches.
ICRE was developed as an expansion of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC), a longstanding research-practice partnership between VCU’s School of Education and regional K12 school districts.
Scroll down to the bottom of this page to read and/or download a variety of MERC research briefs.
ICRE builds on MERC’s collaborative research model to support projects beyond the Richmond Region and across sectors including work with non-profits, K12 school districts, state agencies, and institutions of higher education. Topics of current projects include:
- Teacher Residency Models
- Teacher Induction
- Career Pathways and Work-based Learning
- Early Childhood
- Computer Science
- STEM Professional Development Models
- Student Mental Health
- Equitable Access to Advanced Coursework in K12
- Professional Development for Culturally Responsive Teaching
ICRE’s experienced team of researchers and evaluators works with partners and clients to determine information needs and then co-design projects that unlock insights, trends, and queries to inform organizational decision-making. ICRE also provides developmental evaluation and strategic planning to support organizational growth.
Connect with our ICRE Team
Director: Dr. Jesse Senechal
Location: Oliver Hall, VCU School of Education, 1015 W. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2020
Email: senechaljt@vcu.edu
To learn more about our services, please contact Jesse Senechal (senechaljt@vcu.edu) or Paula Ogston-Nobile (ogstonpl@vcu.edu).
Or, complete this form, and we will contact you to get started.
Research to Classroom: Downloadable Briefs on Bullying, Absenteeism, Artificial Intelligence & More
The School of Education’s Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) published a wide range of research briefs on the emerging issues of PK12 education, including several that explore the immediacy of pandemic-related topics.
Each brief provides a review of the literature, coupled with key takeaways and recommendations for policy and practice:
- Addressing School Bullying Since the Onset of COVID-19
- Administrator Feedback to Teachers
- Adolescent THC Usage in Virginia: Post-Legalization Challenges and Strategies for Schools
- Balancing the Benefits and Risks of AI Large Language Models in K12 Public Schools
- Cell Phones in Schools
- School Division Policies Related to Suicide Prevention and Response
- Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in the Post-Pandemic Era
- Teacher Retention Policy Coherence: An Analysis of Policies and Practices Across Federal, State, and Division Levels
- Teaching Writing to Middle School Students with Disabilities
- Who Takes Dual Enrollment Classes?