Research and Data

The Illinois P-20 Network is a founding member of the Northern Illinois University P-20 Research & Data Collaborative. Additionally, like Equity and Opportunity, Research and Data is a foundational tenet of the work of the Illinois P-20 Network. Efforts such as IPIE, the NIU Illinois CTE Project, the Dual Credit Think Tank, and KEEP Illinois all center their work on evidence and data analysis, and these research efforts take many forms from traditional quantitative and qualitative methodologies to more novel, innovative approaches to well-constructed data collection and analysis. In all cases, these efforts seek to ensure that listening and understanding are the centerpiece of the research.

In recent years, the Illinois P-20 Network has conducted research ranging from statewide evaluations in partnership with state agencies to custom evaluations for postsecondary institutions and school districts to research to support the efforts of Illinois P-20 Network workgroups. The Illinois P-20 Network also takes pride in partnering with graduate students at Northern Illinois University to help align their research efforts with the most critical issues related to policy and practice across Illinois.

Examples of Illinois P-20 Network research projects include:

• United Way of Rock River Valley Move the Middle Program Evaluation
• North Central College Cultures of Character Principal Preparation Program Evaluation
• Illinois State Board of Education Data FIRST High School-to-College Success Research Project
• Illinois State Board of Education Preschool Development Grant-Extended (PDG-E) Program Evaluation
• Illinois State Board of Education Data FIRST Early Childhood Research Project
• Paw Paw Community Unit School District 271 High School Deactivation Research Project (2020 and 2022)
• Illinois Board of Higher Education Grow Your Own Educator Program Evaluation (2021-Present)
• North Central College National Science Foundation Noyce STEM Program Evaluation