Research & Publications
Indicators of College Readiness: A Comparison of High School and College Measures
This report considers the meaning of college readiness from both the district and college perspective. In the past decade, numerous actors in educational research, policy, and practice have converged upon a seemingly practical definition of college readiness that...
i3 MS STEM Project
By: Martha Abele Mac Iver This rigorous analysis from the first year found that students who participated in this middle school STEM summer program in robotics on math achievement and student interest in STEM subjects and careers, which culminated in a city-wide...
Importance of September Attendance
In this brief examining absences in September and later schools attendance, we found the September absences predicted later chronic absence, missing more than 20 days a year) after controlling for student demographic characteristics, service receipt, and attendance...
Positive School Climate: What It Looks Like and How It Happens
Positive School Climate: What It Looks Like and How It Happens: Nurturing Positive School Climate for Student Learning and Professional Growth by Tami Kopischke Smith, Faith Connolly, and Charlene Pryseski In this BERC study, a qualitative analysis was conducted at...
The Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library Project in Baltimore City
A Library They Deserve, by Steven Sheldon, Marcia H. Davis, and Faith Connolly is the first of a series of reports for The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation examining The Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library Project (Library Project). This report on the...
Baltimore Library Project
By: Steve Sheldon and Marcy Davis Research on school libraries has found that libraries are often underused yet valuable resources that can have a positive impact on student achievement. In particular, prior research studies have shown that access to books during the...
Evaluation of Out of School Time Programs for the Family League of Baltimore City
By: Linda S. Olson, Faith Connolly, Alok Kommajesula This is an examination of the 2011-12 Out of School Time (OST) Programs sponsored by the Family League of Baltimore City. This report informed recruitment of OST participants in fall 2013. Read full report.
College Enrollment and Degree Completion of Baltimore City Graduates through the Class of 2012
By: Rachel E. Durham and Linda S. Olson A descriptive report on Baltimore City School graduates who enrolled in post secondary institutions the fall after graduation for the Classes of 2007 through 2012 and six year degree completion rates for the Classes of 2004...
Welcome to BERC
Predicting High School Outcomes in the Baltimore City Public Schools
The Senior Urban Education Research Fellowship Series By: Martha Abele Mac Iver & Matthew Messel Summer 2012 Large urban public school districts play a significant role in the American education system. The largest 67 urban school systems in the country—comprising...