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Research Wednesday
Using Text Annotation to Support the Writing Process
April 29, 2026
Contributing author: Dr. Marisa Rivas -
Research Wednesday
Supporting Women in Educational Leadership
April 22, 2026
Contributing author: Dr. Majalise Tolan -
Research Wednesday
From PLC Meetings to Instructional Reliability
April 15, 2026
Contributing author: Dr. Gregory VanHorn -
Research Wednesday
Uncomplicated Grading Reform
April 8, 2026
Contributing author: Dr. Emily Freeland -
Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | March 11, 2026
The Key to Secondary School Success: Getting 9th Grade Right
Contributing author: Dr. Douglas ReevesKaaron Andrews has studied the relationship between 9th-grade student performance, graduation, and subsequent post-secondary success. She is the Director of the Center for High School Success. When they increase on-track 9th-grade rates, they are 3-4 times more likely to graduate from high school. It is the single strongest predictor of high school success – more than race, socioeconomic status, or even 8th-grade test scores. She contends that high schools are programmed for disconnection – disconnected from their peer group and from teachers who often have 150 students with whom they struggle to have a relationship.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | March 4, 2026
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
Contributing author: Dr. Douglas ReevesWhile surveys indicate that more than 40% of U.S. adults think that listening to a book should not be regarded as genuine reading, Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian of the New York Public Library, disagrees in a November 23, 2025, article. He notes that while print circulation in the library has remained flat over the past five years, audiobook demand is up 65%.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | February 25, 2026
Hope for Cynics
Contributing author: Dr. Douglas ReevesIn this inspiring book (Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness, 2025) by Stanford’s Jamil Zaki, there is a treasure trove of research that will help all of us who support educators and school leaders who are dealing with despair in the dark winter months and pervasive threats to our schools, students, and professional careers. Professor Zaki marshals research and keen observation to make these essential arguments.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | February 18, 2026
A Balanced and Skeptical View of AI in Schools
Contributing author: Dr. Douglas ReevesIn this thoughtful and evidence-rich article (February 12, 2026), the authors cite several randomized control trials (RCT) that provide mixed evidence on the use of AI in schools. My recent book, Education and the Ethics of AI, offers practical ways to avoid cheating – the principal concern of teachers – and use AI in an ethical and constructive way. This new article notes that when students become dependent on AI, their performance actually decreases, especially when they practice with AI but are later tested without AI assistance. Moreover, while AI can assist with simple tasks, such as learning multiplication tables, it does not enhance students’ reasoning or creative thinking.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | February 11, 2026
The Power of Effective Relationships
It is no surprise that effective relationships are a key to leadership performance and organizational success. This synthesis of evidence, published January 18, 2025, in the Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, provides the broadest and deepest analysis yet of why leaders must focus on relationships in order to accomplish organizational goals. The article is a systematic review of the empirical peer-reviewed articles on the impact of positive relational energy. The studies included a variety of ethnic groups from more than a dozen nations.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | February 4, 2026
Four Practical Guidelines for Effective Implementation of the Science of Reading
In this November 13, 2025, article, the authors note that before we turn the clock back to 2001 and wind up with the testing regime of No Child Left Behind 2.0, it’s time to take a look at how we are using the assessment data that we already have. Schools are drowning in data, but most of that data is a score that combines several different tests without giving teachers meaningful feedback on how to specifically use data to improve instruction for each student. This means not only getting a score but also individual item scores – something testing companies almost always fail to provide.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | January 28, 2026
When Grading Becomes Politicized
My research and writing on grading have generally been aimed at challenging toxic grading practices, such as the use of averages, the zero on the 100-point scale, and grading as punishment. But if ever a score of zero was warranted, it is the case of a University of Oklahoma student who was in a psychology class that required the use of research to analyze information and defend a conclusion.
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Research Wednesday
Research Wednesday | January 21, 2026
Authentic Leadership Can Re-energize You to Positively Impact Tier 1 Instruction Across Your School
Contributing author: Pamela M VanHorn, Ph.D.Authentic leadership has a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of Tier 1 instruction, defined as the core, universal teaching provided to all students within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS). Tier 1 instruction is designed to be evidence-based, inclusive, and responsive to diverse learners. Authentic leadership plays a critical role in creating the conditions necessary for this level of instruction to succeed.
Research Wednesday
CLS colleagues regularly publish on relevant topics for busy educators. Whether it is a book, article, or blog, each contains facts and practical next steps for practitioners. As with all our resources, please share with colleagues and communities.