SOPRIS WEST RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Researchers at Sopris West™ Educational Systems have expertise in a broad range of areas, including multidisciplinary research methodologies and education research. Composed of six experienced Ph.D.s and a talented support staff, the department is well-versed in the trends that have shaped and will continue to shape education research. Building on that foundation, the team collaborates with independent research organizations, designs and executes studies, reports findings, and synthesizes up-to-the-minute research in a way that best supports each client.

A Commitment to Scientific Research

For nearly 30 years, Sopris West has been providing scientifically based curricula to educators working with at-risk students. As the demand grows for scientific evidence to inform educational policy and practice, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide such products and services.

Quality and Integrity: Sopris West Research Standards

The goal of research efforts at Sopris West is to provide the comprehensive, meaningful data educators require to make sound decisions, while maintaining rigorous scientific and ethical standards. Our studies address a range of research questions by utilizing a mixture of designs and methodologies.

Sopris West is aware of the challenges inherent in conducting education research within a corporate enterprise. We strive to remain objective and unbiased by rigorously monitoring our own research activities, consistently submitting our reports for independent peer review, and collaborating with other researchers. The body of evidence supporting our products includes both Sopris-sponsored studies and studies conducted by independent researchers and institutions. Our highly qualified staff offers clients the expertise needed to facilitate their evaluation of any data report.

The Importance of Implementation

One of our key research initiatives is to explore features of program implementation in order to understand study findings within a certain context. By carefully attending to implementation fidelity and elements of effective instruction, including aspects such as teacher characteristics and site resources, we gain a deeper understanding of program utilization. We believe that this kind of information is invaluable to those who seek to positively impact student success.

Developmental Research

Sopris West is an industry leader in developmental, design-based research: a systematic but flexible methodology aimed at improving educational practices through design, implementation, analysis, and redesign. This type of inquiry is consistent with our research-based legacy and prepares Sopris West products to meet the requirements detailed in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. By utilizing this methodology, our products can be developed and refined before they hit the market—to ensure top-quality, field-tested curricula and interventions.

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