Partner with us → Standalone projects
Standalone projects
We work with education leaders on focused research projects tied to a specific policy question, decision, or need to produce evidence that is grounded in their context and useful on real-world timelines.
Rigorous research, built around the decision in front of you.
At WEPC, we understand that not every question requires a long-term research agenda.
That might mean understanding what your data can tell you about an existing policy, evaluating whether an initiative is working as intended, or examining the potential implication of a decision before moving forward.
Standalone projects give education leaders access to WEPC’s research and policy expertise around a clearly defined question or need.
We work with partners to understand the context, identify the right analytical approach, and bring together the expertise needed to produce rigorous evidence on a real-world timeline.
The result is a focused body of research that helps leaders understand the issue more clearly and make the decision in front of them with greater confidence.
What a standalone project looks like
1. Define the question
First, we define the question by understanding the decision you’re facing, what you need to know, and how stronger evidence could help.
2. Determine the approach
Next, we determine the right approach. We assess the available data, research needs, and timeline and then develop an approach that balances rigor with the realities of the policy context.
3. Bring in the right researchers
We connect the project with researchers whose expertise fits the question and manage the work from analysis through findings.
4. Translate results into actionable insights
Lastly, we make the findings useful by translating complex results into clear, actionable insights and help partners understand what the evidence means for the decision ahead.
What partners say about us
"Engaging in shared analysis created space for deeper reflection on our work and its impact. What was especially valuable was hearing perspectives from partners who are less familiar with our day-to-day work.
Their ability to articulate what they observed and to ask thoughtful, sometimes challenging questions, pushed us to think more critically about how we define and assess impact."
Senior Leader at a Local Education Agency
Get in touch
Do you have a question that would benefit from rigorous analysis?
Tell us what you’re trying to understand, and we can explore whether a standalone project is the right fit.
→ Reach out to us: wheelockpolicy@bu.edu