The SCALE (Systems Change for Advancing Learning and Equity) Initiative at Stanford University. The vision of the SCALE Initiative is to transform the landscape of educational opportunity by leveraging knowledge and insights for better education decision-making. The initiative aims to identify, support, and scale promising solutions across diverse issues in K-12 education, engaging decision-makers (e.g. policy makers, district and school leaders, teachers, and supporting non-profits) to integrate research, policy, and practice to effect positive change for learners.
The SCALE Initiative conducts rigorous research in partnership with educators on how to scale promising educational solutions to advance the knowledge base, empowering practitioners and policymakers to make informed decisions that make education systems more equitable and effective for all students. Our research falls into three buckets: understanding impact, understanding the landscape, and understanding the enabling conditions. Underpinning this approach is the potential for identifying avenues that can transform education practice and policy to increase equity and opportunities for all students. The SCALE Initiative partners with school districts, service providers, and umbrella organizations across the country to learn about the effectiveness of new and innovative programs, to learn about features of programs that drive effective, to better understand the challenges to implementation and how to overcome those challenges, and to utilize the unique data provided by tutoring to better understand teaching and learning.
The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to this work by leading one or more of the following research processes: The design and implementation of randomized controlled trials, the analysis of administrative data, the analysis of video and audio data, qualitative studies of implementation through interviews or focus groups, producing external reports for stakeholders and writing academic publications, and the building and maintaining of trusting relationships with external partners. A key goal is to ensure that the postdoctoral fellow is able to establish some projects for subsequent publication or contribute to the creation of a new research program. The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to one or more of the projects listed below:
National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA)
The National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) is a project within the SCALE Initiative. Research within the NSSA is devoted to examining how to provide this relationship-based, personalized instruction across contexts and to translating research into promising action on the ground via research-backed tools and engagement. The NSSA’s vision is that every K-12 student in need will have access to an effective tutor that champions and ensures their learning and success.
Generative AI in Education Hub
The Generative AI for Education Hub delivers trusted research, insights, and tools for K12 education leaders to leverage generative AI to benefit students, schools, and learning. We partner with school districts, policymakers, and edtech innovators to research effects, leverage data, and bridge the gap between AI’s potential and real-world impact. The GenAI Hub’s research agenda focuses on four key areas to understand and impact genAI in K-12 education: 1) An understanding of the transformative potential of AI in education; 2) Landscape mapping of tools and conditions that support effective use of AI; 3) Enabling conditions necessary for successful and responsible integration of AI tools; and 4) Real-world impact of AI tools on students and schools.
At the SCALE Initiative, our guiding principles for conducting research are to:
- Prioritize Student Engagement, Relationships, and Learning: Focus on what leads to greater student engagement and connection to enhance learning and well-being
- Champion Equity: Commit to challenging and disrupting systems of inequality
- Be Responsive and Nimble: Address urgent, real-time topics that policy makers and practitioners face, delivering timely, actionable insights
- Foster Collaboration: Co-generate questions with partners and work together to solve pressing issues
- Ensure Rigor: Uphold high standards of quality and rigor in research, contributing meaningful advancements to the field
- Be Impact-Driven: Actively translate research for policy makers and practitioners by developing tools and engaging stakeholders
- Be Passionate and Have Fun: Collaborate with a dedicated team of researchers who have a shared mission to create meaningful change and have fun doing it
Mentorship structure
The postdoc will work largely in GSE facilities and be a part of the GSE community, which hosts social events, professional development experiences, and guest speakers. They will report to and meet regularly with the PI who will provide professional mentorship and guidance for managing the NSSA project. They will interact with members of the SCALE team and build relationships including with school districts across the country.
SCALE is committed to creating a diverse community of scholars who are engaged in contributing to the understanding and advancement of more equitable and effective educational opportunities for students. All members of the team are expected to participate in professional development, cohort-building, and other programmatic activities organized by SCALE.
Evaluation criteria
- Strong commitment to educational equity and systems change
- Experience in more than one of the following: managing and analyzing large-scale administrative data using econometric techniques; designing and implementing randomized controlled trials; designing and implementing surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups; and conducting document/content analysis
- Experience in quantitative methods including prior coding experience (e.g., in STATA or R) and/or in qualitative methods including coding and annotating (e.g., in Nvivo or Dedoose)
- Demonstrated ability to partner with educators, schools, or districts, including clear verbal communication skills with the ability to energize and excite
- Ability to identify, motivate and design studies of educational importance
- Prior record of written research products such as peer-reviewed journal articles and research briefs
- Attentive to issues of equity and inclusion and multiple forms of diversity
Timeline
- Application Deadline: Application will remain open until filled.
- Application review will begin January 17, 2025. Applicants advancing in the review process may be asked to submit additional materials, including three (3) letters of recommendation or references, and may be invited to interview.
- This is a 1-year appointment starting Summer 2025, with the potential for renewal.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in education, economics, sociology, computer science, public policy, or a related field
- Demonstrated expertise in PK-12 education policy, with a strong understanding of the US educational system
- Strong quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods research skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication, time management, and project management skills
Required Application Materials:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in becoming a postdoc with SCALE (500 words max).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- One representative writing sample (published or unpublished)
- 3 references (only provide names, titles and email address for submission). Candidates moving on to the next round will be asked for letters of recommendation.
How to Submit Application Materials:
For full consideration, send a complete application in a single PDF to kdgaff@stanford.edu(link sends e-mail) with the subject line: “Postdoc Fellowship - Loeb”
