Research Resources for Administrators

As an administrator in a rapidly changing environment, you realize how important it is to keep current on the latest research and legislation. To help you stay informed Kappa Delta Pi offers recommended sources and insights from its administrative members.

If you are not already getting information from your state’s department of education (DOE), be sure to check into the various resources offered on DOE sites. Most state DOEs produce a monthly newsletter or send electronic messages or alerts to communicate relevant legislative activities, particularly pertaining to special education law, data collection, procedures, and reporting requirements to superintendents and administrators.

Find your state’s DOE here Administrator links by state

Administrator-recommended sites:

American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
AASA’s site provides articles on timely topics, policy and legislation information, and numerous e-newsletters that summarize news, policy changes, and current data focused on key areas of school finance, operations, and business management.

American Association of University Women
AAUW continues to be on the forefront of research on issues of women and education.

Education Law Association(ELA)
ELA provides objective information about current legal issues affecting education and the rights of those involved in education for both public and private K–12 schools and universities and colleges.

Education News and Research Reports
Select your state to read the latest news in education research.

Education Research Service  
This site offers a variety of resources for purchase or by subscription. These research-based resources serve educators who need timely overviews and general information about specific educational issues. Many resources listed are designed for school leaders' personal development or for use as a book study with district faculty.

Library of Education Research
This comprehensive Web site offers access to reports produced from 1995 to 2005 by university-based education research centers, largely funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Marshall Memo
Available by subscription, the Marshall Memo keep principals, teachers, superintendents, and others well informed on current research and best practices. The memo summarizes 5–10 articles or research reports determined to offer the greatest potential to improve teaching, leadership, and learning, which link to full articles when available. The Marshall Memo goes out every Monday.

National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

NAESP members receive a publication for K–8 principals and e-newsletters about research, legislative updates, and important trends in education.

National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES)
NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing education-related data.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilties http://www.nichcy.org/Research/Basics/Pages/Default.aspx
The Research Basics section of this site provides information on conducting research and links to topical research projects. One section hosts an array of topics in education and available research on each; primarily published meta-analyses and syntheses of evidence to date on effective practices. From this site, you also can link to state resource sites for meeting requirements and needs of children with disabilities.

National Home Education Research
The National Home Education Research Institute provides research reports about home schooling.

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
A federal agency, National Institute for Literacy, provides leadership on literacy issues, including the improvement of reading instruction for children, youth, and adults. At this site, you can access information on grants, state organizations, statistics, and discussion lists to assist your school’s literacy programs.

Pew Hispanic Center
The Pew Hispanic Center produces reports about the Latino community.

Rand Corporation
The Rand Corporation is a nonprofit institution that chronicles reports that address challenges facing both the private and public sectors.

Southern Education Regional Board
The Southern Education Regional Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization designed to assist government and education leaders. State by state reports are provided.

U.S. Department of Education Research & Statistics
The U.S. Department of Education provides a clearinghouse of recent and past research reports.

Wallace Foundation Educational Leadership
The Wallace Foundation provides research about enhancing student achievement by improving leadership.