In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, Superintendent Michelle Miller and Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Matthew Callison from South Fayette Township School District unpack how meaningful research and development can thrive inside a public school system, without massive budgets or rigid frameworks. South Fayette’s “little bets” approach of small, low-risk micro-experiments led by teachers and school leaders to test new ideas before scaling them district-wide. Rather than relying solely on traditional metrics, the district looks to student engagement, enrollment choices, and participation as key indicators of success. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

Adam Smith is a seasoned math education researcher and instructional leader. In this episode, he shares with us the roots of math anxiety and how identity, early experiences, and societal messages shape whether we see ourselves as “math people.” All humans are naturally wired for foundational mathematical thinking, yet math education often becomes abstract and disconnected from students’ lives in secondary education. This conversation highlights how representation, family messages, teacher attitudes, and school structures like tracking reinforce who is “expected” to excel.

Adam encourages us to be intentional about the messages we send about math, to reflect on our own math stories, and to create environments where all students can see themselves as capable mathematical thinkers.

Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

In this episode, Vernon Orndorff, superintendent of Park County School District 6 in Cody, Wyoming, shares how his district created the “Classroom to Careers” program. This K–12, district-led model of authentic, project-based learning is grounded in community partnerships and career pathways. The initiative blends state standards with real-world experiences like internships and outdoor projects, helping students see how their studies apply in practice. Through collaboration among teachers, businesses, and local government, districts can make learning meaningful and career-relevant without sacrificing accountability or academic rigor.

Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

This episode of Evidence in the Wild features a discussion with Aubrey Francisco, co-director of the Executive Function + Math (EF+Math) program, part of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF). The discussion explores how EF+Math has pioneered a new, equity-centered model of research and development in education. A model that connects executive functioning (the mental skills that govern focus, working memory, and self-regulation) with mathematical learning, especially for Black, Latino, and students experiencing poverty. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

There is prevailing pressure in education to deliver quick, measurable results. But do results from 1-2 years of implementation reflect the true potential of meaningful change? In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I’m joined by Shelby Danks, founder and principal advisor at Arken Research. We discuss how real impact can often take years, not months. By emphasizing the value of detailed planning, logic models, shared vision, and upfront agreement on goals, we can avoid the cycle of “try, discard, repeat.” Schools are complex ecosystems where conditions vary widely, making one-size-fits-all studies inadequate. By celebrating small milestones and prioritizing long-term learning over immediate test gains, educators and researchers can foster sustainable improvement and avoid the trap of continuous, reactionary change.

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I talk with Greg Ponikvar and Dan Effland from Summit Public Schools about their journey with locally led research and development (R&D). We explore how Summit designs, pilots, and scales new efforts, what’s changed in their approach over time, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. We also dive into some of the simple but powerful steps that support the process, like developing an R&D plan, creating protected time, and regularly reflecting on what went well and what could be improved, as well as how these practices show up in daily activities. Whether you’re a school or district leader, or simply curious about how R&D can drive meaningful change in education, this conversation offers practical insights into building sustainable, locally driven innovation.

AI in education research and development can certainly help us push the boundaries of what is possible, but what happens when AI draws on best practices from the past? Can it limit our potential? Can it encourage us to implement approaches that didn’t work? In this episode, I discuss the ups and downs of AI in education research.

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I explore the current uncertainty around accountability and standardized testing in U.S. education policy. With no changes so far in federal guidance on accountability, many are wondering… will testing mandates disappear? Will states be left to decide? Or will things stay the same… for now? As someone who’s long been skeptical of standardized testing, I find myself in an unexpected position of making the case for why some form of consistent measurement still matters. Without it, how do we track progress in literacy, math readiness, or intervention effectiveness?

That said, I fully recognize the downsides. Our students are tested more than ever, and I’ve experienced firsthand how these systems can fail the very students they’re meant to help. Join me in this honest reflection about what’s at stake, what we might lose, and where we go from here.