Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium

Established in 1991 as a partnership between Richmond-area school divisions and Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education, Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) leads research that addresses enduring and emerging issues in PK12 education with the goal of informing policy, building the professional knowledge and skills of key stakeholders, contributing to the body of scholarly knowledge, and ultimately impacting outcomes relevant to students, schools, and communities.

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
• Understanding the Virginia Literacy Act
• Who Takes Dual Enrollment Classes?