What We Do
We foreground the challenges and problems of practices that our partners seek to address, and work collaboratively to build our partners’ capacity to (1) understand the factors that help and hinder the growth, development, and civic vitality of those they seek to serve and (2) use research-based insights to advance the conditions that optimize equitable opportunities and outcomes for youth, families, and communities.
We do this in a number of ways, including:
- Conducting rigorous research utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods
- Strengthening data-informed systems for multi-sector planning, learning, and improvement
- Advancing youth voice and leadership through action research fellowships and internships
- Facilitating collaborative strategic planning, program design and evaluation
To view our publications, click here.
Building The Capacity to Learn from Data
Amy Gerstein discusses supporting our partners in schools, districts, and communities to ask researchable questions and interpret findings. She emphasizes the importance of using data, not just for compliance, but for strategy and learning.
Informing Policy and Practice
Why can’t practitioners quickly adopt research-based practices or interventions at their sites? Jorge Ruiz de Velasco says it’s not just a matter of adopting these practices and interventions wholesale; practitioners adapt them with context in mind.
Gardner Perspectives is a series of occasional blog posts by the staff of Stanford University's John W. Gardner Center of Youth and Their Communities. Join us as we share perspectives on important issues affecting students and their families and communities.