Changing the Conversation About Inequality: How do we get to reducing inequality? Webinar, Part I June 22, 2015 1
Focus Areas USE OF RESEARCH EVIDENCE REDUCING INEQUALITY Launched in 2009 Launched in 2014 Demand for rigorous research evidence Responses not causes/consequences has grown Understanding programs, policies, and Understanding role of research evidence practices that can mitigate the impact of and how it is used in policy and practice inequality of young people in the United States 2
Goals of Reducing Inequality Webinars To share what we mean by “response to inequality” To show how a research study can inform a response to inequality Part I, June 22, 2015 Postsecondary education & workforce transition • Juvenile & Criminal Justice • Part II, Fall 2015 Immigrant-Origin Children and Youth • Mental Health and Mental Health Services • 3
What Today’s Webinar Will Not Address Questions about the process of applying for our Major Grants competition. 4
Roadmap for Today’s Webinar Brief introduction to the Reducing Inequality initiative Postsecondary Education & Workforce Transition What we know about the problem of inequality • What we need to know to inform a response to inequality • Q & A Juvenile & Criminal Justice • What we know about the problem of inequality • What we need to know to inform a response to inequality Q & A 5
Inequality is the Problem 1. Levels of inequality are exceptionally high 2. High inequality causes economic and social harm 3. Social policies can combat inequality 4. We need research to identify effective policies, programs, and practices 6
What do we need to know to craft effective responses to inequality? Hallmarks of our approach Focus on young people (ages 5 to 25) A research agenda to build, understand, test, and improve programs, policies, and practices No single study will be transformative • Results will accumulate to guide policy and practice • Interdisciplinary portfolio We seek researchers to answer this call 7
Research on Reducing Inequality Postsecondary education and workforce transition 25 years since The Forgotten Half Focus on community colleges • Serve a large proportion of low-income and first-generation college students Who are the “new forgotten half”? • Attend but do not complete college Reap no rewards • 8
Suggestions for a New Research Agenda Describe the new college reality Study improvements in high school and college counseling Show how to improve high school, college, and workplace links Financial support is part of the story 9
We Support Different Types of Studies Descriptive studies meant to clarify the mechanisms for reducing inequality. Intervention studies that examine attempts to reduce inequality. Studies that improve the measurement of inequality in ways that will enhance the work of researchers, practitioners, or policymakers. 10
What these studies could look like…. Descriptive studies meant to clarify the mechanisms for reducing inequality. Identifying strategies to improve students’ understanding of the options, odds, obstacles, and outcomes of the new college reality. Intervention studies that examine attempts to reduce inequality. Testing an intervention to improve information on the new college reality for high school and college counselors. Studies that improve the measurement of inequality in ways that will enhance the work of researchers, practitioners, or policymakers. Development of measures that tap into job quality 11
Q & A Q&A 12
Research on Reducing Inequality Juvenile and Criminal Justice Inequality in the justice system is on all of our minds today Closely bound up with educational inequality 13
How can new research help? Break the school-to-prison pipeline Implement & study new police practices Change patterns of thinking Reduce economic inequality in the broader society 14
Q & A Q&A 15
Further Information on Our Website Adam Gamoran’s 2013 Annual Report Essay The five commissioned papers Major Grants 2014 webinar Vivian Louie’s Tips for Writing a Letter of Inquiry for the Reducing Inequality Initiative Research Grants Application Guide 16
Looking Ahead We look forward to receiving your Letters of Inquiry! Next deadline: AUGUST 4, 2015, 3:00 P .M. EST We look forward to having you join us again in the fall for our webinar on reducing inequality in immigration and mental health services. 17
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