College of Education and Human Development

Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement

Improving Outcomes for All Learners

Welcome

CAREI is a research center that serves as the link between research and practice in Minnesota schools, PreK-16, and other agencies interested in applied educational research. We are experts in research, evaluation, literacy, and assessment with a wealth of diverse and interrelated experience.

Our vision is to become the premier hub for making research accessible and actionable to ensure equitable outcomes.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to tackling injustices and embracing diversity by continuously engaging with principles of equity, antiracism, cultural responsiveness, and intersectionality. We seek to learn about, live out, and promote these principles in our work with educational programs and systems as applied researchers, evaluators, trainers, and coaches.

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functional phonics + morphology

Learn more about Functional Phonics + Morphology, our state-approved literacy curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading!

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Services Offered

We are working to close the gap between research and practice in Minnesota schools. Each project is tailored to the specific needs of each client and the program, context, or policy involved. We listen to and work with our clients and partners to understand their experiences and offer these services:

News and Announcements

Second U of M Minnesota Principals Survey reveals key challenges and insight among nearly 1,000 PK-12 school leaders across the state

Results of the second biennial Minnesota Principals Survey (MnPS), a comprehensive 130+-question survey developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) in collaboration with a diverse group of educators and partners and generously funded by the Minneapolis Foundation and Joyce Foundation, have been released. The survey aims to elevate the voices of principals, assistant principals and charter school leaders across the state.

CAREI awarded grant to examine School Mental Health systems in Minnesota

A recent CAREI proposal, led by Annie Goerdt (PI) and Mengchen Su (Co-PI), was approved as written by the Sauer Family Foundation. CAREI has been awarded this grant to examine School Mental Health systems in Minnesota. The project will start on January 1, 2024, with a completion date of December 31, 2026.

Elevating student learning beyond the basics

Educational leaders across the country are catching on to the idea that traditional grading practices and standardized tests do not adequately capture the scope of what young people know and can do. With funding from The Civic Affairs Trust, researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed two resources to rethink and improve the evaluation of student learning in schools.

Professional Learning Opportunities

CAREIALL: Advancing Language and Literacy

CAREIALL (Advancing Language and Literacy) is a virtual, comprehensive professional development course created by our team of internal and external literacy experts, and designed to support educators in operationalizing the science of reading in their classrooms. 

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Self-paced Problem Solving Team Training

Build your school problem-solving team’s capacity to evaluate intervention effectiveness using a systematic approach.

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Join the District Assembly

One membership. Resources for your whole district.

The CAREI District Assembly brings together university researchers and school practitioners from around the country on a regular basis. For over 20 years, the Assembly has linked University research to educational practice for K-12 teachers and school leaders. Together, faculty, researchers, and school leaders share research findings, discuss current issues, and identify solutions.

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