Fostering Research Use in School Districts Through External Partnerships: The Role of District Capacity

This study investigates when and under what conditions districts learn from external organizations, integrating research-based guidance into district policies, routines, and organizational knowledge. The study develops the concept of absorptive capacity from organizational learning theory and empirically explores the nature of district capacity in two urban school districts engaged in implementing CCSS in mathematics and English Language Arts. This 30-month, mixed-methods study will draw on interviews with district leaders and external partners, observations, a survey, and social network analysis, to extend our understanding of organizational capacity and the role of intermediary organizations in supporting research use in districts.