Research Presentation

Conducted a landscape review of behavior management systems

Identified and compared four types of systems — digital tracking, centralized databases, reward systems, and teacher-specific systems — to evaluate their strengths and limitations.

Reviewed existing academic and practitioner research

Drew on peer-reviewed literature, Center on PBIS reports, DQC's Show Me the Data findings, and case studies including Golann's "no-excuses" charter school research.

Analyzed state-level discipline and behavior data

Examined CRDC data and Minnesota Report Card suspension data to identify racial disparities in how discipline is applied across student groups.

Identified a bright spot case study — Massachusetts PBIS Academy

Researched the academy's multi-year model, fidelity tracking approach, and measurable outcomes to extract lessons applicable to other states and districts.

Mapped data gaps using DQC's Show Me the Data framework

Cross-referenced what states currently report — chronic absenteeism, school climate, instructional practices for students with disabilities — against what is needed to fully understand student outcomes.

Developed actionable recommendations for data advocates

Translated research findings into three clear action steps around public data availability, moving beyond compliance, and highlighting schools using behavior data effectively.

Executive-level presentation delivery

Designed and delivered a structured research presentation to DQC cabinet members — translating complex data policy concepts into clear, actionable takeaways for a senior leadership audience.

Audience-aware communication

Framed findings around what cabinet members could act on — policy advocacy, data governance, and public reporting standards — rather than leading with academic theory.

Visual storytelling and slide design

Built a professional, visually cohesive slide deck using timelines, comparison frameworks, data tables, and case study evidence to support a clear narrative arc from problem to recommendation.

Data interpretation and equity analysis

Synthesized suspension data by race and ethnicity to highlight systemic disparities, and connected those disparities to the broader argument for more intentional, publicly available behavior data.

Policy research and synthesis under real-world constraints

Completed this research as a summer intern, demonstrating the ability to independently scope, research, and present a policy brief in a professional organizational setting.

Cross-stakeholder systems thinking

Connected school-level behavior practices to district, state, and P-20W data systems — demonstrating an understanding of how policy decisions ripple across multiple levels of the education ecosystem.