Abstract

Abstract

Abstract is the podcast of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium at Virginia Commonwealth University. We explore issues in public, PK12 education.

  1. Career and Technical Education_ Historical Insights, Current Impacts, and Policy Implications

    2D AGO

    Career and Technical Education_ Historical Insights, Current Impacts, and Policy Implications

    In this episode of Abstract we invited leaders of Career and Technical Education (CTE) from MERC school divisions to have a conversation with authors of a MERC research and policy review focused on the history, purpose, and policy implications of CTE. Guests include Mac Beaton (Director of Career and Technical Education for Henrico County Public Schools), Courtney Ward (Director of Secondary Success Pathways for Richmond Public Schools), Katy Stokes (Coordinator of Work-Based Learning for Chesterfield County Public Schools), LaTonja Wright (Transition Specialist for VCU’s Training and Technical Assistance Center through the Virginia Department of Education), Phelton Moss (Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at VCU), and David Naff (Director of MERC and Associate Professor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at VCU). MERC REPORT Career and Technical Education: Historical Insights, Current Impacts, and Policy Implications https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/career-and-technical-education-historical-insights-current-impacts-and-policy-implications.html

    56 min
  2. Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools

    12/02/2025

    Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools

    In this episode of Abstract we spoke with researchers and education leaders in the MERC region about the recent expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act to include middle schools across the Commonwealth. The conversation centers around a MERC research and policy review focused on this expansion (linked below) and how those findings resonate with efforts in local school divisions. Guests include Kendall Hunt (Education Specialist for Middle School Literacy in Henrico County Public Schools), Candace Bechtold (PhD Student in Curriculum, Culture, and Change at VCU), Val Robnolt (Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at VCU), and David Naff (MERC Director and Associate Professor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at VCU). MERC REPORT Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/virginia-literacy-act-expansion-implications-for-middle-schools.html

    36 min
  3. How prepared are PK-12 faculty and staff to support student mental health?

    02/20/2025

    How prepared are PK-12 faculty and staff to support student mental health?

    In this episode we spoke with Kade Goldin (VCU School of Social Work), Maggie Wallace (Washington University in St. Louis), and Shenita Williams (Henrico County Public Schools) about a recent MERC report and dashboard focused on how prepared faculty and staff are to support student mental health in PK-12 schools. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director). The report and dashboard are linked below the episode description. Report: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/pk-12-faculty-and-staff-capacity-to-support-student-mental-health.html Dashboard: https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/bebeaa85-30f3-442d-a431-9456d31bbae1

    50 min
  4. How do enrollment practices promote access to advanced coursework?

    02/06/2025

    How do enrollment practices promote access to advanced coursework?

    In this episode we spoke with Jenna Conlee (Henrico County Public Schools), Andrea Herndon (Hanover County Public Schools), Amy Jefferson (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Tomika Ferguson (Virginia Commonwealth University) about a recent MERC report sharing findings from a multiple case study focused on how enrollment practices promote or inhibit access to advanced coursework. We talked about recommendations for policy and practice based on the findings. The report is linked below the episode description. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director). https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/exploring-perceptions-of-advanced-coursework-enrollment-practices-a-multiple-case-study.html

    1h 7m
  5. What are trends, challenges, and evidence-based strategies for school dropout prevention?

    10/03/2024

    What are trends, challenges, and evidence-based strategies for school dropout prevention?

    In this episode of Abstract we spoke with Audra Lancaster (Chesterfield County Public Schools), Thea Racelis (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Meleah Ellison (VCU Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation) about trends, challenges, and evidence-based strategies related to school dropout prevention. The conversation is based on a MERC research and policy brief on the topic linked below. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director). Research brief: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/trends-challenges-and-evidence-based-strategies-for-school-dropout-prevention-in-virginia.html

    48 min
  6. Understanding the Virginia Literacy Act

    08/24/2024

    Understanding the Virginia Literacy Act

    In this episode of Abstract, we discussed the Virginia Literacy Act with Taylor Snow from Henrico County Public Schools, Jennifer McSweeny from the Virginia Literacy Partnerships at the University of Virginia, and Valerie Robnolt, Kim Bridges, and Mike Crusco from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. We discussed a recent MERC research and policy brief providing an overview of relevant trends, literature, and policies pertaining to the Virginia Literacy Act and discussed the implications at the state and local level. The brief is available for free public download through MERC here: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/understanding-the-virginia-literacy-act.html

    52 min
  7. What is the role of out-of-school time providers in urban school systems in a post-COVID context?

    08/12/2024

    What is the role of out-of-school time providers in urban school systems in a post-COVID context?

    In this episode of Abstract we spoke with Sean Miller (Chief Executive Officer) and Jeanine Turner (Chief Impact Officer) from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, along with Sidney Gunter (Director of Academic Programs and Supports) from Richmond Public Schools and Alicia Taylor (community nonprofit leader and VCU EdD student) about the role of out-of-school time providers in urban school systems in a post-COVID context. During the conversation, we summarize a recent research and policy brief from MERC on this topic and talk about the future of out-of-school time programming. The brief is available for open access download here: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/understanding-the-role-of-out-of-school-time-ost-providers-in-urban-school-systems-in-a-post-covid-context.html

    44 min
  8. Understanding Work-Based Learning in Virginia

    11/30/2023

    Understanding Work-Based Learning in Virginia

    In this episode we spoke with Alisha Bazemore (Assistant Director of Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives for V-TOP), Ashley Crute (Associate for Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives for V-TOP), and Amy Corning (Senior Research Associate, VCU Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation) about a recent report from the ICRE and MERC about work-based learning (WBL) in institutions of higher education and PK-12 school systems. Throughout the conversation we discussed how the findings resonate with work-based learning in Virginia, specifically through the work of the Virginia Talent Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP). The report was produced in partnership with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Access the report here: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/published-reports/work-based-learning/

    1h 6m
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About

Abstract is the podcast of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium at Virginia Commonwealth University. We explore issues in public, PK12 education.

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  • Creator
    Abstract
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © All rights reserved
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    Abstract