In the quest to meet the 21st century’s growing needs for highly educated workers and citizens, educators and education leaders are exploring the potential of a range of variations on traditional schooling. RMC has been involved in assessing the effects of new initiatives, such as Supplemental Educational Services (tutors and after-school programs), charter schools, and after- and out-of-school programs.

Single Sex Schools Evaluation
RMC conducted preliminary research on the characteristics and effects of public single-sex schools, once the norm in American schools. Following literature reviews, expert panels, and other professional input, student data were collected from an Internet-based survey and school/classroom observations to explore how single-sex schools operate and why their academic and developmental outcomes may differ from those of coeducational schools. With a focus on the effects of single-sex schools on at-risk students, the project compared the effects of single-sex schools on males and females.

Charter School Accountability Inspections
Since 1999, RMC has been instrumental in conducting charter school evaluations for Massachusetts, which requires charter renewals every five years. RMC assembled and trained teams of experts for the four-day renewal inspections, during which teams reviewed documents, observed classrooms, analyzed student assessment results, conducted interviews, and held focus group sessions with all stakeholder groups. Teams then analyzed these data in light of the three charter school performance goals and prepared written accounts for the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education.
Read past reports and more about the Massachusetts Charter School Accountability System.

Technical Assistance and Support for Supplemental Educational Services (SES) in New York 
RMC is providing a range of technical assistance and support services to the New York State Education Department as well as to potential SES providers. RMC’s work includes state-level technical and consulting assistance related to developing SES policies, procedures, and guidance; implementing systems for orienting potential SES providers to the application process; support the SES applicant review and selection process; and providing follow-up assistance to applicants.

New York State Annual Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Report
RMC Research assisted the New York State Education Department to develop data collection forms for SES providers and school districts who are required to report SES service information. RMC works with New York in collecting, analyzing, and report these data annually in order to monitor the quality of the SES programs and to comply with the requirements of NCLB.