The vision of the Division of Research and Program Evaluation (DRPE) is to help Columbus City Schools' students and staff reach their full potential by providing access to the most effective and equitable learning strategies, programs, and services.

To achieve this, the Division of Research and Program Evaluation:

• Reviews and analyzes existing programs, initiatives and strategies to determine efficacy and ROI within Columbus City Schools
• Reviews and approves research that works to advance the District’s Goals, Guardrails, Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate to ensure access to and use of quality data

To learn more about the work of the Division of Research and Program Evaluation, please access an information slide deck here. 

Employees seeking a program evaluation (including strategies and initiatives) or consultation for an existing Columbus City Schools program, strategy, or initiative are encouraged to complete the form linked below. This evaluation process is designed to gather valuable insights and feedback, helping to assess the effectiveness and impact of the programs in question. Click here to learn more.

At Columbus City Schools, we believe that well-planned and carefully conducted educational research is a powerful tool for addressing today’s educational challenges. That’s why we actively encourage meaningful research that contributes to the advancement of education and benefits our students and staff.

We also recognize the importance of hands-on experience in training future educational researchers. To support this, we collaborate with institutions of higher education, offering opportunities for graduate students to conduct impactful research in our schools as part of their practicum programs.

Each year, we receive numerous requests to participate in research studies, and we’re excited to partner with researchers who are committed to rigorous, ethical work that directly benefits our district. To ensure alignment with our goals and priorities, researchers must submit a Research Application, whether it’s for original research, advanced degree work, or program evaluation. This application helps us assess the quality, relevance, and potential impact of the proposed research.

Our district’s research priorities are closely aligned with our strategic goals, and all research conducted within CCS must support these priorities. The Research Review Committee evaluates proposals based on these criteria to ensure they provide meaningful contributions to our mission.

We look forward to continuing our work with research partners who share our dedication to improving education for all students. Learn more.

Research and Reports Completed in CCS