RESEARCH

Research at the Center

The Rutgers Center for Effective School Practices has decades of experience conducting rigorous research as well as research-informed programming and evaluation initiatives across educational contexts. Our research collaborators and client partners include school districts, schools and institutions, professional development providers, educational content and curricula creators, university consortia, health educators, industry- and discipline-specific associations, workforce development entities, and learning-related practitioners.

Drawing on expertise in study design, mixed methods research, and data analytics, the center regularly leads and collaborates on multidimensional projects that address diverse professional needs. Our research services target problems of practice – as well as opportunities – related to program management, assessment, and organizational effectiveness, among other areas.

We are in constant pursuit of greater understanding about research and evaluation best practices, and we critically assess our own work so as to continuously optimize our research value and to support the field of research overall. Explore our research publications and presentations in the sections below. Contact us to discuss research topics or collaboration opportunities.

Featured Research

This research brief shares an analysis of high school computer science participation among seven U.S. schools over six academic years.

Six-Year Study of High School Computer Science Participation

Rutgers CESP Research Brief

The results of a national survey addressing professional development in rural schools are explored. Themes include decision-making, job-embedded programming, learning objectives, quality, and school culture.

Job-Embedded Professional Development Programs in Rural Schools

Published through 100Kin10 Grand Challenges

Insights from a literature review on online professional learning communities and their advantages, challenges, and emerging best practices are discussed in this report.

Lit Review Explores Online Professional Learning Communities

Published by the Institute of Education Sciences

Research Archive

Year	Title	Authors	Description
2025	Evaluating and Selecting CS Curricula: How to Make Informed, Equitable Decisions	Cynthia L. Blitz, David J. Amiel, & Vivian Allen	This presentation provides educators with a systematic framework for evaluating computer science curricula, addressing resource overload through practical guidance on content relevance, feasibility, and contextual fit.
2025	The Scratch Arcade: Deeper Learning & Authentic Engagement through Sustained Design & Collaboration	David J. Amiel, Fran P. Trees, & Kristen Hickman	A 12-day middle school project where students design, build, and showcase arcade games using Scratch, culminating in a class game fair; promotes relevant, sustained, and engaging CS learning.
2025	An In-Depth Exploration of Mathematics Teaching Tools: Practical Insights for Educators	Jennifer Vradenburgh, Cynthia L. Blitz, & David J. Amiel	A comprehensive exploration of five widely used mathematics teaching tools providing educators with practical insights for selecting and integrating digital resources effectively.
2025	The Middle-to-High School Transition: Key Factors Shaping 9th-Grade Computer Science Enrollment	David J. Amiel & Cynthia L. Blitz	The study identifies key factors influencing 9th-grade computer science enrollment, revealing persistent participation gaps and providing actionable strategies to promote equity during the middle-to-high school transition.
2025	Technology Course-Taking in High School: Insights for Underrepresented Populations	Teresa G. Duncan, Cynthia L. Blitz, Nedim Yel, & David J. Amiel	This study examines how student and school characteristics influence high school technology course enrollment, highlighting persistent disparities among underrepresented groups in computer science education.
2025	Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, and Design – An Enticing Approach!	David J. Amiel, Cristin Sedelmaier, & Frances P. Trees	A creative, hands-on project where middle schoolers design ice cream shops while learning computer science, entrepreneurship, data analysis, website creation, and 3D modeling.
2025	Cohort Dynamics and Longitudinal Trends in High School Computer Science Participation	Cynthia L. Blitz, David J. Amiel, & Teresa G. Duncan	This study tracks CS participation across high school cohorts, finding modest overall growth but persistent demographic disparities, suggesting current trajectories won't achieve equity without targeted interventions.
2025	A University-led Computer Science Education Summit: Meeting the Moment with Actionable, Relevant, and Timely Explorations	Cynthia L. Blitz, Fran Trees, David J. Amiel, and Daryl Detrick	This paper explores the development of the 2024 Rutgers University Computer Science Summit and how it’s content and structure were designed meet its goals.

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