14 Research and Outreach Units Driving Change
What happens when bold ideas meet urgent challenges? Across our 14 research and outreach units, faculty, researchers, and community partners turn discovery into action. Together, they develop innovative solutions that strengthen schools, support families, and expand opportunities for children and youth. From early intervention to educational equity, their work creates lasting impact in Oregon, across the nation, and around the world.
Our research culture is field-leading and highly influential with a long tradition of translating research into effective models, methods, and measures that improve lives.
in FY26
Gina Biancarosa leads the Literacy Screeners for Alaska Indigenous Languages project, which is developing and validating early literacy screeners designed to determine levels of necessary instructional support in reading for kindergarten through fifth grade in up to ten of the 23 Alaska Native languages.
Impact and Outcomes
We are the highest-ranked academic unit at the University of Oregon, due largely to a decades-long record of national and international research and development in special education, counseling psychology, educational leadership, and school psychology. Our research culture is unique and highly influential because our faculty have a long tradition of translating research into effective models, methods, and measures that improve lives.
Our innovations have an enduring impact in Oregon and across the nation.
Recognized for decades of life-changing research, the College of Education fosters a culture of inquiry that empowers students to contribute to impactful solutions that advance equity, improve learning outcomes, and strengthen communities.
Lauren Berny
As a doctoral student, Lauren received a prestigious R36 dissertation grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Strengthening connections between research and practice in K-12 education
The HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice aims to impact future generations by supporting today’s educators. Using the latest tools and methods to conduct rigorous evidence syntheses that meet the rapid decision-making needs of education leaders, the HEDCO Institute translates the findings from existing research, providing education leaders with trustworthy information to support the implementation of evidence-based practices, and promoting healthy students and schools.
Research News
October 15, 2026
5 things civil rights data says about public schools
NPR published a national story on the 2023–24 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC is a federal survey of more than 97,000 public schools used by the U.S. Department of Education to monitor students’ civil rights. NPR organized the story around findings from analyses of the data by Dr. Maithreyi Gopalan, who co-leads the AdvancED Equity Initiative.
October 14, 2026
How to help students understand what they don’t know
Guiding students toward understanding the limits of their knowledge on familiar topics is a critical layer of engagement, experts say. Professor Jerry Rosiek, education studies department head at University of Oregon College of Education offers expert commentary.
October 6, 2026
How Schools Can Better Support Older English Learners
Educators and researchers spoke with Education Week about the challenges older English learners face beyond elementary grades and effective strategies schools can use to best serve them. Professor Ilana Umansky, PhD, contributed expertise and insight.
September 28, 2026
California changes English learner rules for nearly one million students
Professor Ilana Umansky’s research helped inform California’s overhaul of its 50-year-old English learner reclassification policy. Research conducted with QRME PhD student Havisha Khurana contributed to the development of AB 2555, which was unanimously passed by the Legislature and signed into law.