Creating Research-Practice Partnerships in Education

Creating Research-Practice Partnerships in Education is an invaluable resource for educators and researchers seeking to develop long-term collaborations in which educators and researchers work together to study and solve pressing problems of practice. Drawing on the authors' extensive experience in working with research-practice partnerships (RPPs), this book is a practical and insightful guide for those embarking on or engaged in these complex and promising endeavors. "Any reader seeking a new path to educational innovation and improvement would be wise to take up this volume. Penuel and Gallagher provide an insightful account of the potential of RPPs to empower change in schools and districts, as well as a keen assessment of challenges to be addressed en route." --Donald J. Peurach, associate professor of educational policy, leadership, and innovation, University of Michigan "This volume is the first to look under the hood of RPPs and describe in detail what makes them run. Grounded in the authors' experience as well as research, the insights it offers will be invaluable to anyone setting out to create a partnership, or to better understand how and why RPPs are different from business as usual." --M. Suzanne Donovan, executive director, SERP Institute "Penuel and Gallagher have tremendous insight into the inner workings of RPPs. Real-world examples from both of their work provide the reader with practical examples for how all the components of an RPP can look, and why they are important. Anyone in, or considering starting, an RPP would benefit greatly from their experience and expertise." --Douglas A. Watkins, science curriculum coordinator, Denver Public Schools "A must-have, easy-to-read resource for both researchers and practitioners wanting to launch RPPs, as well as veterans of partnership work." --Laura Wentworth, director of learning and research practice partnerships, California Education Partners William R. Penuel is a professor of learning sciences and human development in the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Daniel J. Gallagher is the director of career and college readiness at Seattle Public Schools. John Q. Easton is the vice president of programs at the Spencer Foundation.