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
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.
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:
Professional Learning Opportunities
Deep Dive into MTSS Essentials
To implement an effective Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework, it is critical that school leaders have a strong conceptual understanding of MTSS. Effective MTSS frameworks are composed of 5 core components: Infrastructure and Support, Multilevel Instruction, Assessment, Data-Based Decision-Making, and Fidelity and Evaluation.
Self-paced Problem Solving Team Training
MTSS Process Guide Technical Assistance
The goal of a multi-tiered system of support process guide is to support consistent data-based decision-making and practices of the MTSS framework. Do you need help developing an MTSS process guide to promote consistent practice? Or, would you like to improve your current process guide? Join us for a 6-session (2 hours per session) professional series focused on step-by-step guidance in developing a process guide. Learn about the latest evidence-based practices and practical tools to support data-based decision-making. Teams will participate via Zoom.
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.
News and Announcements
Mental health is a top concern for educators and students, state-wide U of M survey reveals
Minnesotan’s agree that addressing student and educator mental health is a top concern, according to a University of Minnesota analysis of the Minnesota Safe Learning Survey (SLS) that was distributed in the winter, spring and fall of 2021. There were more than 53,000 respondents to the three surveys from across Minnesota, and their concerns were clear.
CAREI awarded $3.2 million award from the American Institutes for Research (AIR)
CAREI was awarded a $3.2 million award from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to participate in a Random Control study as a provider of professional development and technical assistance to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) designed to improve reading achievement for students in Grades 1 and 2. CAREI will work with 50 schools around the country to:
CAREI to co-lead new $6 million federal grant
A new partnership between the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Wisconsin-based nonprofit Education Analytics has won a five-year, $6.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The project’s goal is to improve the academic achievement of elementary and secondary school students in the two-state region by advancing the use of evidence-based practices.