Reports

Much of MERC’s research work is disseminated through published reports. This includes full reports on the findings of out empirical research studies, literature reviews, white papers, and research briefs.
Our most recent publications are available on our website, however, you may access all of MERC’s publications through VCU’s Scholar’s Compass.
Reports
Since 1991, MERC has produced several research reports a year addressing critical issues in PK12 education. These include empirical studies and literature reviews. Below is a list of recent reports.
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The overall purpose of this project was to conduct a program evaluation of services provided to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) across all school divisions within the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC). Two phases of...
Read More About Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Reading Strategies for Middle and High School Students: A Review of Literature
This review targets “best practices” in adolescent reading instruction. While writing is inextricably related to reading, this review did not explicitly target studies of writing. However, where writing studies informed reading instruction, they were...
Read More About Reading Strategies for Middle and High School Students: A Review of Literature
Classroom Assessment Practices
Assessment is becoming increasingly important in classrooms as school systems respond to federal and state testing mandates. The increasing emphasis on assessment surely impacts student outcomes such as engagement and motivation, and ultimately...
Read More About Classroom Assessment Practices
On-Time College Graduation: A School/University Collaborative Study
In the face of international comparisons showing the lower level of academic skills of students in the United States, high schools have been criticized for not adequately preparing their graduates for the academic demands of college life. This is...
Read More About On-Time College Graduation: A School/University Collaborative Study
Parental Involvement on Educational Outcomes
The efficacy of parental involvement in schools is usually taken for granted, but the issue is so complex that a single study cannot reasonably measure the effectiveness of parental involvement and its influence on educational outcomes. This review...
Read More About Parental Involvement on Educational Outcomes
Differentiated Instruction: A Review of Literature
Differentiated instruction is recognized to be a compilation of many theories and practices related to effective teaching and its link to student achievement. It requires a departure from traditional methods of teaching and the belief that learners...
Read More About Differentiated Instruction: A Review of Literature
Issues, Challenges, and Needs of High School ESL and Content-Area Teachers
In recent years, public schools in Central Virginia have experienced a fast growing ESL population. School districts throughout the state have reported increases in their ESL population that range from 300% to 700% in the past ten years. Unlike state...
Read More About Issues, Challenges, and Needs of High School ESL and Content-Area Teachers
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