In the Networks for School Improvement initiative, intermediaries developed school networks and used continuous improvement processes to address disparities in high school graduation and college enrollment rates among students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty. RAND researchers examined 25 of these networks to understand how they operate and the factors that contribute to strong networks.

Evaluation of the Networks for School Improvement Initiative—Networks and Intermediaries

Interim Report

Rebecca Herman, Karen Christianson, Peter Nguyen, Susan Bush-Mecenas, Joy S. Moini, Samantha E. DiNicola, Stephani L. Wrabel, Eupha Jeanne Daramola, Pierrce Holmes, Nazia Wolters, et al.

ResearchPublished Apr 24, 2024

In an effort to improve high school graduation and college enrollment rates among students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation established the Networks for School Improvement (NSI) initiative and awarded five-year grants to intermediary organizations to develop networks of school teams that work together using continuous improvement (CI) processes. RAND researchers are leading a study on 25 of these networks to understand how networks launch and operate, as well as the factors that contribute to strong networks.

This report is designed to help organizations that are working toward school improvement, such as intermediaries and school districts, weigh strategies to use CI networks as part of their efforts. The researchers describe the common models and strategies in place across intermediaries to create and lead their networks, facilitate learning among network members, and help build schools' capacity to use CI to improve outcomes for students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty. The researchers also explore crosscutting patterns in how intermediaries centered equity in these activities and how network activities shifted over time. Additionally, the researchers examine patterns in network engagement and development of network cohesiveness.

This interim report summarizes findings from school years (SYs) SY2020–21 through SY2022–23. This report is accompanied by three other reports: The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is evaluating CI processes in NSI schools through SY2022–23, Mathematica is evaluating early outcomes of the NSI initiative through SY2021–22, and the three evaluation teams collaborated on a summary report.

Key Findings

  • Intermediaries combined centralized leadership with local adaptation to organize and build the capacity of their networks.
  • Intermediaries sought to center equity across NSI activities.
  • How intermediaries approached capacity-building and network facilitation changed over time. In particular, shifts occurred in the following areas: increasing the focus on equity, shifting leadership from the intermediary to CI teams, and adjusting CI activities to the local context.
  • Networks that were especially cohesive appeared to use common strategies: hosting recurring role-alike meetings, creating cross-school small discussion groups, asking specific schools to present on their work to the network, and facilitating cross-school site visits.

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Document Details

  • Copyright: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Publisher: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2024
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 60
  • Paperback Price: $23.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 1-9774-1317-X
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA242-1
  • Document Number: RR-A242-1

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Herman, Rebecca, Karen Christianson, Peter Nguyen, Susan Bush-Mecenas, Joy S. Moini, Samantha E. DiNicola, Stephani L. Wrabel, Eupha Jeanne Daramola, Pierrce Holmes, Nazia Wolters, Beth C. Gamse, Nadirah Farah Foley, Ramy Abbady, L'Heureux Lewis McCoy, and Sarah Zelazny, Evaluation of the Networks for School Improvement Initiative—Networks and Intermediaries: Interim Report, RAND Corporation, RR-A242-1, 2024. As of October 11, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA242-1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Herman, Rebecca, Karen Christianson, Peter Nguyen, Susan Bush-Mecenas, Joy S. Moini, Samantha E. DiNicola, Stephani L. Wrabel, Eupha Jeanne Daramola, Pierrce Holmes, Nazia Wolters, Beth C. Gamse, Nadirah Farah Foley, Ramy Abbady, L'Heureux Lewis McCoy, and Sarah Zelazny, Evaluation of the Networks for School Improvement Initiative—Networks and Intermediaries: Interim Report. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2024. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA242-1.html. Also available in print form.
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This publication is based on research funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and conducted by RAND Education and Labor.

This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND research reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

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