Baltimore Education Research Consortium
The Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC) is a research practice-partnership between institutions of higher education in Maryland, Baltimore City Public Schools, organizations that serve families and children in Baltimore City, and and other civic and community partners.
What we Do
Education Research for the Benefit of Baltimore’s Children and Families
BERC’s mission is to develop and support long- and short-term research-practice partnership projects that address questions of critical importance through the conduct and dissemination of rigorous strategic data analysis and research for the benefit of the children and families of Baltimore City.
Findings from our projects help educational leaders, partners, and other stakeholders be well positioned to move conversations forward, design strategic and practical responses to challenges, advocate for resources, capitalize upon promising practices, and identify levers for positive change.
BERC works collaboratively with partners while maintaining an independent voice and is a highly valued connector of education stakeholders and leaders across Maryland, source of in-depth research expertise, and contributor to the efforts and public conversation surrounding the education of children in our public schools.
Recent Publications
Kindergarten Success Fact Book (2023)
This report provides an overview of kindergarten readiness of six Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) kindergarten cohorts from the 2016-2017 to the 2021–22 school year.
College Access in Baltimore: A Decade of College-Going Among City Schools Graduates (2023)
This report summarizes trends in college-related outcomes among City Schools graduates over a ten-year timespan, from 2011 to 2020. The data presented centers on core activities in accessing college, from applying for admission and financial aid, to college enrollment, and ultimately, degree completion.
Baltimore City’s Young Children: Prenatal to Five Experiences (2022)
The report helps us understand how families and children use early childhood services and how the use of those services is related to children’s long-term progress in school.
Kindergarten Success Fact Book (2022)
This report provides an overview of kindergarten readiness of six Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) kindergarten cohorts from the 2014–15 to the 2019–20 school year.