Spanning research to practice gives us a unique perspective. We conduct research and evaluation with an eye to how findings can be most useful to clients. In turn, our policy consultation and program and product development is informed by our knowledge of academic and applied research. We offer services in:

  Research and Evaluation
  Policy Consultation and Assistance
  Program Planning and Development
  Product Design and Development

Our experience and expertise cover a range of work of interest to states and districts planning and competing for ARRA funds. RMC has a long history of work in pre-K - 12 literacy, mathematics instruction, high school reform and dropout prevention, standards and assessment, program evaluation, and systems of support for low-performing schools and districts. We are eager to apply our knowledge and expertise to assist states and districts.

Featured Work

National Reading Technical Assistance Center: Annual Reading Institute
More than 3,500 literacy educators, advocates, and researchers attended the second annual National Reading Conference July 19 - 22 in Anaheim, CA. Coordinated by RMC Research for the U.S. Department of Education, the conference featured national experts Catherine Snow of Harvard University and Michael Kamil of Stanford University and more than 85 workshops and panels on all things literacy. Check back for videos of the keynote speakers.

Center on Insuction
The U.S. Department of Education's Center on Instruction, operated by RMC, announces three new publications:

• Bringing Literacy Strategies into Content Instruction: Professional Learning for Secondary-Level Teachers - Reading in academic content areas challenges secondary-level students to incorporate a wealth of new vocabulary and master modes of thinking in a range of disciplines. This new document offers concrete recommendations and illustrative vignettes to help content-area teachers use literacy strategies to advance their students' content knowledge.
• Instructional Models and Strategies for English Language Learners - Students who are learning English in addition to academic content face a dual burden. This document the outlines the major language-of-instruction models--English-only, bilingual, and transitional--and details teaching strategies and programs that have proven effective with students who are learning English.
• Effective Practices for English Language Learners: Principals from Five States Speak - Some schools with high populations of English language learners have defied trends and enabled their English learning students to excel academically. What distinguishes these schools? How have they closed the achievement gap? This document looks at practices in exemplary schools in five U.S. states.
  

Doing What Works
RMC has been developing content for the Doing What Works (DWW) website, translating research to multimedia tools for educators, administrators, and others. Our most recent work explores Response to Intervention, an increasingly popular school improvement model based on universal screening, progress monitoring, and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all students. Response to Intervention in Primary Grade Reading and Response to Intervention in Elementary-Middle Mathematics feature interviews with researchers Sharon Vaughn and Russell Gersten as well as talks by state and district leaders experienced in implementing RTI, examinations of key practices, and tools and action templates.

Nurture Nature Center Evaluation
RMC is evaluating a pilot model for engaging communities in developing content for a new science museum. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Pennsylvania, is conducting citizen-scientist forums in three communities in the Lehigh Valley that are prone to flooding. The forums feature science presentations, policy discussions, and suggestions for museum exhibits. In addition to helping shape the museum design, the evaluation will inform reports to local-decision makers on flood-related issues.

Artists Corps
The President's Committee on Arts and Humanities is developing an initiative to create opportunities for artists to work in schools and communities. RMC will be providing research and facilitation support to the committee during the design and development process.