MSAN continuously engages with researchers and research in a variety of ways in service to its mission.
MSAN is part of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) located within the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
MSAN regularly receives and reviews requests for network participation in research projects or studies. Details regarding opportunities for participation in network-endorsed research projects are provided and shared with members.
Network members have the opportunity to participate in MSAN’s youth voice research practice partnership, which aims to improve policy and practice in schools while preparing youth leaders for education research and scholarship. This partnership seeks to transform both the policy-making structure in school districts and challenge the traditional structures and processes of education research.
In line with the vision that research and practice must be developed in tandem, MSAN has established collaborative relationships with expert educational researchers, providing network members with access to the latest innovations and ideas, data, studies, and practices that show promise.
Over the years, MSAN has established research partnerships with the Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) Institute, the Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin, and the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). In addition, individual researchers who have collaborated with MSAN over the years include Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings (retired University of Wisconsin–Madison), Dr. John Diamond (Brown University), Dr. Awilda Rodriguez (University of Michigan), and Dr. Ron Ferguson (Harvard University).
Past Projects
Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) Institute (2007)
Mathematics intervention targeting students’ conceptions of core Algebra concepts. MSAN districts identified the achievement gap in Algebra I as one of their most critical challenges. The reason for the focus is clear—performance in Algebra I determines whether many students will be able to access higher levels of mathematics, attend college, and compete for the numerous career opportunities that require mathematics skills.
Working in collaboration with SERP-affiliated mathematics researchers, MSAN district Algebra teachers and mathematics coordinators created a bank of strategically designed and robustly evaluated algebra assignments to target critical algebraic misconceptions and utilize interleaved worked examples. The team agreed that well-designed assignments can become a tool for shaping and transforming students’ mathematical thinking without requiring disruptive changes to classroom activities. The assignments and companion PD approach—known as AlgebraByExample—are thus sensitive to both what is practical in school environments and to research on optimal supports for learning.
The research found that struggling students who participated in the AlgebraByExample assignments showed a 10% boost in conceptual understanding.
Explore AlgebraByExample and download materials for use in the classroom.
Research Briefs
Key Characteristics of Effective Adolescent Literacy Programs (PDF) by Rachel Lander, Ph.D.
Dislodging students’ misconceptions through the use of worked examples and self-explanation (PDF) by Julie Booth, Ph.D. and Juliana Paré-Blagoev, Ed.D.
Demographic Diversity and Conflict in Schools Suggested Readings (PDF) by Jean A. Madsen, Ph.D.
Publications About MSAN
Why Closing the Research-Practice Gap is Critical To Closing Student Achievement Gaps? (PDF – 2007) by Laura A. Cooper Theory into Practice