In the Networks for School Improvement initiative, intermediary organizations developed and supported school networks using continuous improvement approaches to improve educational outcomes for students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty. This technical report outlines the data and methods used in the analysis of 25 of these school networks.

Evaluation of the Networks for School Improvement Initiative—How Network Hubs Develop and Support Continuous Improvement Networks

Data Sources and Methodology

Stephani L. Wrabel, Samantha E. DiNicola, Tiffany Berglund, Jonathan Schweig

ResearchPublished Apr 22, 2026

The Gates Foundation awarded five-year grants to intermediary organizations to develop networks of schools working together using continuous improvement (CI) approaches to improve educational outcomes for students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty. RAND researchers led a study on 25 of the networks to understand how networks launch and operate and the factors that contribute to strong networks. This technical report outlines the data and methods that undergird the study findings presented in the final report. The findings are intended to help organizations working to improve schools, such as intermediaries and school districts, weigh strategies for using CI networks as part of their efforts.

Key Findings

  • The sample included 25 networks for surveys and network hub staff interviews; five networks were sampled for case study data collection.
  • Five data collection processes were used: a survey of CI team leaders (the Team Connections Survey), interviews with network hub staff, focus groups with CI team members, interviews with district staff, and observations of network events.
  • Limitations of the analysis include that the data reflect the perspectives (and potential biases) of only the individuals who participated in the data collection activities; interview and focus group data reflect the perspectives of network hub, school, and district staff, which may result in varying statements of goals or approaches within a single network; and networks and participants faced grant implementation challenges during school year 2020–2021 because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Topics

Document Details

  • Copyright: Gates Foundation
  • Publisher: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web-Only
  • Year: 2026
  • Pages: 97
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA4409-2
  • Document Number: RR-A4409-2

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Wrabel, Stephani L., Samantha E. DiNicola, Tiffany Berglund, and Jonathan Schweig, Evaluation of the Networks for School Improvement Initiative—How Network Hubs Develop and Support Continuous Improvement Networks: Data Sources and Methodology. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2026. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA4409-2.html.
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This research was sponsored by the Gates Foundation and conducted in the Education and Employment Program of RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure.

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