Research

ERDC Critical Questions & Research Agenda

The critical questions are an important guiding framework for ERDC that should provide an overarching framework of what is within ERDC’s purview. When someone asks, “What does ERDC research focus on?” these four topics should come to mind:

Education Systems & Transitions: Are resources and access to educational opportunities distributed equitably across the Washington education system?
Student Outcomes & Milestones: How well is the Washington education system producing equitable educational outcomes, particularly for historically marginalized or underserved student groups?
Educator Workforce: How well does the Washington education system attract, prepare, and retain a diverse educator workforce that can meet current and future student needs?
Education & Social Conditions: How do state systems and social conditions in Washington impact student opportunities and outcomes?

In 2023, ERDC plans to use the Critical Questions as a foundation to engage in a collaborative process to develop our 2023-2025 research agenda. We plan to follow a similar process for reviewing and sustaining the agenda in the following years.

ERDC State Research & Data Project Requirements (as of April 2022)

Requirement	Description
RCW 28A.190.110	Institutional education programs--Data—Recommendations (HB 1295)
RCW 28A.188.040	STEM education report card
RCW 28A.300.544	Students in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or both--Work group—Report (ESHB 2711)
RCW 28A.300.525	Students in department of children, youth, and families out-of-home care--Report on educational experiences
RCW 28A.600.280	Annual Dual Credit Report (HB1867)
RCW 28B.15.380	Exemption from payment of fees at state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College--Children and surviving spouses of certain law enforcement officers, firefighters, state patrol officers, or highway workers
RCW 28B.77.100	Support data collection and research for PESB and Educator Preparation Programs
RCW 28C.30.040	Career connected learning cross-agency work group—Duties and responsibilities.
RCW 43.41.410	State support for students at institutions of higher education—Information
RCW 43.41.415	Development of methods and protocols for measuring educational costs—Reports.
RCW 43.41.420	Undergraduate and graduate educational costs—Reports to regents and trustees.
WAC 392-700-195	Open Doors Youth Reengagement program evaluation

ERDC Data Support for State Agency Reporting Requirements (as of April 2022)

Requirement	Description	Primary Partner(s) or Report Leads
RCW 43.216.655	Data collection and program evaluation—Reports. (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program)	WSIPP
RCW 28B.50.925	Guided Pathways-Implementation-Reports	WSIPP
RCW 28B.77.100	Support data collection and research for Washington Student Achievement Council	WSAC
RCW 28B.77.090	Accountability monitoring and reporting system--Data requirements--Uniform dashboard format for display of data--Use of performance data	WSAC, public four-year institutions of higher education within Washington
RCW 28B.77.020	Educational attainment goals and priorities--Short-term strategic action plan--Ten-year road map--System reviews--Role of education data center--Responsibility for work of the office--Additional duties	WSAC
RCW 28C.18.200	Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board	WTB
RCW 28B.76.699	Student teaching grant program--Report—Rules	WSAC Office of Student Financial Assistance
RCW 28A.155.220	High school transition services--Interagency agreements--Education data center to monitor certain outcomes--	OSPI
RCW 28B.92.220	Postsecondary institution student-level data—Education data center.	WSAC

2019 Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant Research Projects

The U.S. Department of Education awarded approximately $105 million to 28 states, including Washington. Applicants were able to apply for funds to carry out projects to address one of three priorities: 1) Infrastructure; 2) Education Choice; and 3) Equity. The ERDC received funding under the Equity Priority of the 2019 SLDS Grant. The ERDC proposed a variety of analysis and research activities focused on equity in five areas:

Education paths for special student populations
Student learning and outcomes
Equitable access to effective educators
Utilization of social and health services by student populations
School discipline, absence, and juvenile justice involvement.

2015 Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant Research Projects

2015 SLDS Grant Proposal Deliverables: Final reports and grant deliverables are available on our Publications page.