This week the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) announced $6 million in funding for new research into pandemic learning. The initiative is a joint effort between DPI and UNC-Chapel Hill’s NC Collaboratory. Funds come from a General Assembly appropriation. Research will focus on understanding the pandemic’s impact on students and schools. In addition, research should identify effective interventions.
In a press release from DPI, Superintendent Truitt said, “This joint effort will be instrumental for policymakers as we seek to address the most pressing challenges K-12 students and educators face as a result of the pandemic. More importantly, this research provides a unique opportunity for the K-12 system to harness the research power of North Carolina’s great institutions of higher education.”
Research goals
Project priorities will focus on two key areas, according to the NC Collaboratory:
- Research into the pandemic’s long-term impacts on student learning (such as effects on the educator workforce, best practices in virtual learning, strategies addressing students’ academic and mental health needs, and more)
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of pandemic interventions (funded by ESSER III dollars)
Research will begin as early as this fall and conclude by October 2024. Learn more about the Request for Proposals here.
