Rita T. Karam is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. She specializes in educational policies, educational equity, and program improvement. For over 18 years, she has been investigating school reform, science, engineering and technology (STEM) education, and post-secondary education and workforce preparation using experimental and quasi-experimental methods. Karam has also examined the delivery of education to Syrian refugees in host countries. She utilizes mixed methods including surveys, interviews, and observation. In her research, she considers various factors such as the complexity of programs and heir coherence with local policies as well as other government policies, and their alignment with cultural values.
Karam is currently leading multiple studies examining issues surrounding literacy and employment opportunities.
She earned her Ph.D. in education from the University of California, Riverside.
Selected Publications
Karam, R., Straus, S., Byers, A., Kase, C., Cefalu, M., "The Role of Online Communities in Promoting Sociotechnical Capital among Science Teachers," Educational Technology Research Development, 2017
Karam, R, Pane, J., Griffin, B.A., Robyn, A., Phillips, A., and Daugherty, L., "Examining the Implementation of Technology-Based Blended Algebra I Curriculum at Scale Cognitive Tutor Algebra 1 Program in Middle and High Schools," Educational Technology Research Development, 2016
Karam, R. and Zellman, G. , "Educating Syrian Refugees: Challenges Facing Host Countries," Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 2017
Karam, R., Goldman, C., Basco, D., and Carew, D. , Managing the Expansion of Graduate Education, RAND (RR-1899), 2017
Karam, R., Stecher, B., Tsai, T., Grimm, G., and Schweig, J, Mathematics Audit of DoDEA Schools, RAND (RR-1272), 2016