X

About CREP

The Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) is a State Center of Excellence, designated as one of Tennessee's most prestigious centers. Since 1989, we have been dedicated to improving student learning by serving as a valuable resource in PreK-12 educational research, evaluation, and consultation. We also provide services in instrument development and assessment to institutions of higher education, non-profits, community organizations, and businesses. As national education policy shifts, CREP strives to provide up-to-date, relevant data useful to schools, universities, and policy makers.

As a long-term contributor to the fields of educational research and policy, CREP has extensive experience in research design, execution, and program implementation and evaluation across the country, including school, district, state, and multi-state programs. We have served as a direct contributor to research addressing the goals of Race to the Top and No Child Left Behind, as proposed by the National Academy of Sciences, the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), and the Center on Innovation & Improvement. Our fully staffed statistics department has the capacity to manage and analyze large data sets using both qualitative and quantitative tools, experience developing and running quasi-experimental and Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), and thorough knowledge and application of WWC procedures and standards.

We meet the diverse needs of the educational community by planning and conducting high-quality studies, designing valid and reliable instruments for gathering data, and combining scholarship with personalized, practical services. Our staff of trained researchers, practitioners, and research assistants have experience conducting both small- and large-scale evaluations. Our experience in education, evaluation, and practical solutions for stakeholders' needs has earned CREP national recognition for work in areas including:

  • School reform and choice
  • Teaching methods
  • School climate
  • Educational technology
  • Museum education
  • Student attitude assessment
  • Teacher support
  • Parent and community involvement
  • Technology use
  • Program implementation
  • Student achievement

In addition to a sizable existing bank of valid and reliable instruments, we design customized quantitative and qualitative survey, observation, and interview tools to meet the specific needs of stakeholders. We also employ formative evaluation methods for school improvement decision-making and support, interventions for at-risk students, literacy and early literacy, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); professional development, and school climate and culture. Our objective evaluations meet the requirement for third-party evaluators mandated by major grantors, such as NSF and IES.

Read about our current research or contact us by e-mail or toll free at 1.866.670.6147 for more information.