Evidence in the Wild

Amber Northern, Senior VP for Research at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Senior Advisor at the Department of Education, joins us to discuss her recent paper Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences. In this episode, she shares which strategic shifts would make IES more relevant, responsive, and useful to educators on the ground. Key themes include closing the gap between research and practice, accelerating the research cycle, making better use of data already being collected, and rethinking how evidence reaches practitioners. Read Amber Northern's full report - Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences Curious to learn more or want to get in touch? Reach out to us at rockymountain-research.org

From designing school-wide organizational systems for high schoolers to studying the science of learning in the earliest grades, Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle have spent decades observing how executive function shapes student learning. In this episode, they join us to unpack what executive function actually is, and how every K–3 teacher can start supporting it tomorrow without overhauling their entire practice. Mitch and Sarah also dig into the science behind working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, and what their new book, Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom, offers teachers hungry for research-backed, classroom-ready strategies. Order Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start Mitch Weathers – organizedbinder.com Sarah Oberle – sarahoverlay.com Curious to learn more or want to get in touch? Reach out to us at rockymountain-research.org

This episode contains a brief mention of student suicidal ideation. From tutoring peers in a classroom to shaping federal education policy, Anousheh Shayestehpour has seen American education from every level. In this episode, she joins us to unpack the tension between standardized testing and real student growth, including how 'No Child Left Behind' shifted the focus from skills to scores, and while the data testing provides is valuable, the culture built around it is a different story. Anousheh also reflects on her work with Pacific Island communities, freely associated states, and Indigenous nations, and what a community-based, relationship-first approach to education can teach the rest of us. Anousheh Shayestehpour - Lab Rats Education  Curious to learn more or want to get in touch? Reach out to us at rockymountain-research.org

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, Josh sits down with internationally recognized bonsai artist Ryan Neil, founder of Bonsai Mirai and the nonprofit One Tree Project, to explore an unexpected but powerful intersection of bonsai, youth development, and the psychology of measurement. Bonsai is so much more than horticulture. It becomes a living metaphor for developmental science: slow growth, intentional shaping, environmental responsiveness, and the cultivation of potential over time. Curious to learn more? See how we are advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

In this reflective and forward-looking conversation, Josh Stewart sits down with education researcher and entrepreneur David Blumenthal to unpack what 2025 meant for the research and evaluation community. Following mass federal layoffs and deep uncertainty across the education research sector, David shares how he navigated professional upheaval, transitioned into independent consulting, and ultimately founded a new AI-driven education technology company. Together, Josh and David explore personal and nationwide resilience, and the widening gap between research and classroom practice.  Explore David's project Eddie AI, a tool designed to assist educators in making better, evidence-based decisions. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org  

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.

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I sit down with Eric Mason, a seasoned education leader with experience spanning the classroom, district-level assessment, higher ed, and federal policy. Most recently, Eric served at the Institute of Education Sciences within the U.S. Department of Education. Together, we explore the evolving landscape of education research, from teacher apprenticeship models to the complexities of root cause analysis in policymaking. Eric offers insight into where we’ve been, where we’re heading, and what it takes to move from hypothesis to impact.

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I explore two research-backed reading interventions that have shown strong results for students with dyslexia and those struggling with literacy: Pennsylvania’s Dyslexia Screening and Early Literacy Intervention Program and Reading Recovery. I also reflect on how programs like these could have supported my own learning journey and why tools like the What Works Clearinghouse are essential for helping educators and leaders identify and elevate practices that truly make a difference. Resources mentioned: What Works Clearinghouse https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/ Pennsylvania Dyslexia Screening and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/Study/86099 Reading Recovery https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/Docs/InterventionReports/WWC_RR_IR-brief.pdf

In this solo episode of Evidence in the Wild, I explore one of the most common pitfalls in interpreting data, confusing correlation with causation. Whether it's linking ice cream consumption to shark attacks, or assuming a program "works" based on surface-level trends, failing to account for confounding variables can lead to deeply flawed conclusions. I share a vivid education example from a well-known randomized control trial of charter schools and explain how rigorous methods help us move from hunches to evidence. We’ll also touch on how these issues show up in everyday conversations, policymaking, and the research-to-practice gap. Read the full study referenced in this episode: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/app.5.4.1

In this solo episode of Evidence in the Wild, I dig into the real purpose of logic models, and why they’re more than just a compliance checkbox. I explore how logic models can serve as practical, actionable tools to help us define measurable milestones, monitor our progress, and stay focused on outcomes that are actually within our control. Whether you’re leading a program, managing a grant, or trying to make sense of your goals, logic models can provide clarity on what’s working, and what needs to shift. 🧰 Check out the IES Program Evaluation Toolkit: https://ies.ed.gov/use-work/resource-library/resource/tooltoolkit/program-evaluation-toolkit Josh Stewart, Ph.D. Founder and Principal Researcher Rocky Mountain Research & Strategy 🌐 rockymountain-research.org

In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I sit down with Dr. David DeJong, Dean of the College of Education at Dakota State University and one of the key architects of South Dakota’s teacher apprenticeship program. We talk about how the SD TAP model came to life, why it matters, and what it's teaching us about expanding the teacher pipeline. David shares early insights from the program, including what’s working, how mentors support apprentices in the field, and how South Dakota is thinking about sustainability and long-term impact. If you're interested in grow-your-own pathways, this conversation is a great place to start.

In this first episode of Evidence in the Wild, host Josh Stewart shares why this podcast exists, and why now is the time for a more honest, human conversation about data and research in education. Josh reflects on his background as a researcher, someone who grew up with dyslexia, and a former college professor who has spent the last decade working on federal and philanthropic education projects. This episode sets the stage for what’s to come: candid conversations with educators, administrators, and researchers who are using evidence in creative, imperfect, and deeply committed ways to improve real-world practice. It’s about elevating what works, questioning what doesn’t, and democratizing how we use data to shape the future of education