IWERC's Current Projects
Explore our Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative current and completed projects. Our projects range from early childhood education through K-12 education, as well as into post-secondary education and workforce education.
Early Childhood Education
Journeys through Illinois Early Childhood Programs and Services
Understanding Illinois children’s journeys through state-supported early childhood programs and services.
Trends in the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS)
Investigating how kindergarten readiness relates to Illinois children’s future outcomes and prior experiences.
Preschool Development Planning Grant Evaluation
An evaluation of the state’s current Preschool Development Planning Grant (Birth to 5).
K-12 Education: Current Projects
An Examination of Current Measures of Effective Schools in Illinois
Strategies that cultivate effective schools for different purposes and learners
Dual Credit in Illinois
The current study examines DC participation trends to increase DC opportunities for all students and close participation gaps.
Exploring Computer Science Education Structures and Pathways in Illinois: An Urgent Research Project to Improve Equitable Access and Outcomes
Research on computer science education in the state
Teacher Workforce Research Portfolio
Maintaining a diverse, high-quality early childhood and K-12 workforce
K-12 Education: Completed Projects
Learning During the Pandemic in Illinois: A Three-Part Research Series
In Partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Trauma-Informed Care Research Brief Series
Trauma-informed responses to post-pandemic schooling
Post-secondary Education
Exploring Computer Science Education Structures and Pathways in Illinois: An Urgent Research Project to Improve Equitable Access and Outcomes
Research on computer science education in the state
Illinois College-Going Survey Series
Exploring Decision-Making Factors of Illinois High School Seniors
Latinx Students in Higher Education: A Literature Review Series
A series of literature reviews in partnership with the Latino Policy Forum
Workforce
Mapping Chicago’s Tech Ecosystem: Training and Workforce Development
The Chicago Tech Ecosystem project aims to catalog and analyze non-credit adult education and training programs that serve as on-ramps to tech careers for underserved populations.
Illinois Creative Workforce Partnership
A collaboration between UIUC, UIC, Arts Alliance Illinois, DPI, and IWERC to research the Illinois creative workforce.
Illinois High School to Career Series
In partnership with the UChicago Consortium on School Research, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
The Illinois Socio-Demographic Equity Dashboard
Mapping Illinois’ equitable access and opportunity to education and workforce resources.
Get Involved
- Are you a policymaker or education stakeholder who would like to learn more about our research projects?
- Are you a philanthropist or donor who is interested in supporting our efforts through partnership?