Selected Experience
Below are example projects that illustrate the range of Evaluation Projects lead by Poet’s Corner & Research Associates Team Members.
Strengthening Statewide Educational Support
California Collaborative for Educational Excellence — Project Director
Jay led an evaluation of California’s Statewide System of Support, examining how regional and specialized lead agencies supported county offices of education and school districts. The work explored how technical assistance and collaboration function across a complex education system.
Supporting Students with Disabilities
Gates Foundation–supported Networked Improvement Community — Project Director
Jay directed research supporting a network of ten charter management organizations working to improve services for students with disabilities, particularly students who were Black, Latinx, or living in poverty. The evaluation combined feedback for continuous improvement, assessment of organizational capacity, and analysis of student outcomes.
Understanding Community Partnerships and Systems Change
Living Cities’ Integration Initiative — Project Director
Jay led an evaluation of collective impact initiatives across seven cities addressing economic development, workforce development, and health. The work examined how cross-sector partnerships functioned, supported cities in developing their data infrastructure, and included the design of a study of outcomes across participating cities.
Evaluating Workforce Education and Career Pathways
Montana Community College Initiatives — Principal Investigator
Jay led evaluations of federally funded initiatives expanding workforce education in manufacturing, energy, and health care. His responsibilities included research design, data collection, analysis, and reporting to examine implementation and outcomes across participating colleges.