Study of Deeper Learning:
Opportunities and
Outcomes
Study Overview
understanding will be particularly important as many
districts begin to implement the Common Core State
Standards. Additionally, the study will provide valuable
information back to schools about their own students’
deeper learning outcomes and postsecondary
educational outcomes, including college enrollment.
Sponsored by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The Hewlett Foundation has identified networks of
high schools focused on developing deeper learning
skills. These networks serve a combination of charter
and traditional public schools. We are inviting 20
schools from across these networks, as well as 20
similar schools. We will be conducting four types of
data collection in our sampled schools over the next
two school years:
Background
Despite decades of educational reform efforts, it
remains a challenge for U.S. schools to ensure that
students acquire the complex knowledge and deeper
learning skills necessary to become engaged and
productive citizens of a changing world. To meet this
challenge, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
has embarked on a compelling initiative to promote
deeper learning at scale, particularly for the most
disadvantaged students. The Foundation has identified
five dimensions of deeper learning: mastery of core
content, critical thinking skills, collaboration skills,
communication skills, and independent learning skills.
Purpose
The primary purpose of this study, to be conducted by
the American Institutes for Research (AIR) over the
next three years, is to examine the ways in which
schools provide opportunities for deeper learning, and
the impact these opportunities have on the
development of the five deeper learning dimensions, as
well as on a wide variety of other student outcomes,
including postsecondary outcomes. This study presents
a unique and exciting opportunity to better understand
approaches schools can use to prepare students well
for college and careers.
Benefits
By participating in this rigorous study, schools will
contribute to our understanding of the ways deeper
learning can be fostered and supported at the school
and classroom levels, and the outcomes associated
with opportunities for deeper learning. This
Data Collection
Administering surveys to teachers and students
to collect information on school features and
opportunities for students to engage in deeper
learning,
Collecting samples of teacher assignments and
the student work that they produce to
understand the extent to which students are
engaged in deeper learning activities,
Administering the Programme for International
Student Assessment (PISA) to measure deeper
learning outcomes,
Conducting case studies (20 network schools
only) focused on understanding how students
experience deeper learning at school and what
school features are associated with
opportunities to engage in deeper learning.
In addition, we will be collecting and analyzing the
following data:
Extant data on students’ state test scores
National Student Clearinghouse data on
students’ postsecondary outcomes
For more information about this study, please contact info@studyofdeeperlearning.org.
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent,
nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance
both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and workforce productivity. To learn more about AIR,
go to www.air.org.
Confidentiality
The identities of all respondents will be kept
confidential, and all student data will be reported in
aggregate.
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Why is this study being conducted? What does it hope to learn?
This study will figure out the ways schools help students prepare for college and careers after high school. In
particular, the study will look at mastery of core content, critical thinking skills, collaboration skills,
communication skills, and independent learning skills.
Who is conducting and funding this study?
The study is being funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and carried out by the American
Institutes for Research (AIR).
What will happen at my child's school?
Study staff will conduct a teacher survey, a student survey, collect examples of teacher assignments, collect
student work samples, hold student focus groups, and give the PISA assessment to students. We will also
collect extant data about your student's school, such as demographics and aggregated test scores, from the
district.
How much time out of the school day will this study require?
The student portions of the study will take place during the school day. The survey will take about 30
minutes. The focus group, if your student is selected for that, will require about 45 minutes. The PISA will
take approximately 90 minutes.
The teacher and administrator portions of the study may take place during or outside of the school day. Our
goal is to cause minimal disruption to the school day.
Study staff will visit your child’s school 4 to 5 times over the year from the Spring of 2012 through the Spring
of 2013. These visits should not disturb class time.
What will be required of my child, and how will he/she benefit?
Your student may be asked to complete a 30 minute survey, participate in an approximately 45 minute focus
group with 3-4 other students, and/or take either the mathematics or reading portion of the PISA. Each
portion of the PISA takes about 90 minutes. In exchange for their participation with the survey, students will
receive a $10 gift card. In exchange for taking the PISA, their school will receive an additional $250
honorarium.
For more information about this study, please contact info@studyofdeeperlearning.org.
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent,
nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance
both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and workforce productivity. To learn more about AIR,
go to www.air.org.
Is my child required to participate?
No. This study is completely voluntary. Even if you give consent, your child may still decide not to participate.
He or she may stop participating at any point of the study. Your child will not be penalized or marked down
for not participating or withdrawing.
Are there any risks for my student from being involved in this study?
There is no risk to students from participating in the study. Information collected for the study will be kept
completely confidential and will be used solely for the purposes of this study. In reporting results,
information that identifies individual participants, such as name or school name, will not be used.
What if my child is absent on the day of the survey, PISA, or focus group?
If your child is absent on the day of a survey/the PISA/interview/or focus group, he or she may have an
opportunity to make it up. We will contact your child if this opportunity is available.
Who will know what my child said in a focus group, on a survey, or how they did on school work or a test?
The researchers who are conducting the study will know what your child has said, but no one else outside of
your child will know. Everything we collect from him or her will be kept private. His or her name will not be
associated with answers or work.
Who will have access to my child’s school work, comments, or answers?
The researchers who are conducting the study will know what your child said, but no one else. Everything we
collect from your child will be kept private. His or her name will not be connected to his or her answers or
work.
Will any part of the study be used to evaluate my child?
No. Your child’s information will only be used to help us form a clearer picture of your school.
For more information about this study, please contact info@studyofdeeperlearning.org.
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent,
nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance
both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and workforce productivity. To learn more about AIR,
go to www.air.org.