The Northwestern-Evanston Education Research Alliance (NEERA): Designing for Equity and Excellence in Education

The research-practice partnership, the Northwestern-Evanston Education Research Alliance (NEERA), proposes a W. T. Grant Institutional Challenge Grant focused on understanding the nature of achievement and achievement gaps in Evanston; the assets and enablers that promote student success; and the effectiveness of the strategies identified to promote achievement and eliminate racial, ethnic and socio-economic gaps. NEERA is organized around the theme of “designing for equity and excellence” through research for policy and practice. This grant will enhance NEERA’s research; deepen NEERA’s work in both inschool and out-of-school learning environments; and further develop NEERA’s infrastructure for an effective, mutually-beneficial, impactful, and sustainable research-practice partnership between its partners: Northwestern University, Evanston Township High School District 202, Evanston/Skokie School District 65, and Evanston community partners, particularly in out-of-school learning and youth development.