Jones, Curtis

Dr. Curtis Jones is a senior scientist in the School of Education, Director of (SREed), and a mixed-methods (quantitative/qualitative) evaluator who has conducted a number of rigorous evaluations using both quasi-experimental and experimental methods.

He has previously worked as the director of evaluation for the Value-Added Research Center (VARC), as the principal evaluator of extended learning programs for the Chicago Public Schools and as the manager of research and evaluation for Heartland Alliance, conducting evaluations of criminal justice, social service, housing, and mental health initiatives. He received his Ph.D. in community and prevention research from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Current Evaluation Projects

Evaluation of Milwaukee Community Literacy Project (MCLP) or SPARK

SPARK is a collaboration between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to provide literacy tutoring, after-school, and parent engagement support to early-grade MPS students. SPARK was awarded an i3 grant by the Department of Education. Through this grant, we are conducting a randomized-control evaluation to measure the impact of SPARK on reading achievement.

Reports

Evaluation of the State of Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System

The state of Wisconsin’s Educator Effectiveness System represents a significant change in the way educators in the state of Wisconsin are evaluated. The evaluation of the state of Wisconsin’s Educator Effectiveness System is designed to monitor its implementation and provide the Department of Public Instruction with ongoing formative feedback about the implementation of the system.

Reports

Evaluation of Team GEAR UP

The evaluation of Team GEAR UP is designed to provide the Milwaukee Public Schools and partnering agencies with actionable information about the effectiveness and implementation of college planning and preparation services provided to students in six high schools receiving funds from the Department of Education.

Past Evaluation Reports

• Evaluation of the Milwaukee Public Charter Schools (PDF)
• Evaluation of the Select20 program (PDF)
• Evaluation of the Language/Unique Special Education Literacy Program (PDF)
• Evaluation of the Comprehensive Literacy Plan in the Milwaukee Public Schools (PDF)

Recent Publications

Cosner, S., Kimball, S., Barkowski, E., Carl, B., & Jones, C. (July, 2014). Principal Roles, Work Demands, and Supports Needed to Implement New Teacher Evaluation. UIC Research on Urban Education Policy Initiative, 3 (3). Available online (PDF).

Bond, L., Jones, C. J., Trickett, E., Butler, H., Spence, S., & Sawyer, M. (Submitted for publication). Teacher wellbeing, job satisfaction and job strain: Does school climate matter?

Jones, C. J. (2014). Characteristics of Supplemental Educational Services providers that explain the heterogeneity of provider effects on achievement. Educational Policy. Advance online publication. DOI: 0895904813518098.

Jones, C. J., Trickett, E., & Birman, D. (2012). Determinants and consequences of child culture brokering in families from the former Soviet Union. American Journal of Community Psychology, 50 (1-2), 182-196.

Witham, P., Jones, C., Milanowski, A., Thorn, C. and Kimball, S. (2011). Program Evaluation for the Design and Implementation of Performance-Based Compensation Systems. Center for Educator Compensation Reform. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Washington D.C., 2011. Available online (PDF).

Curtis Jones Curriculum Vitae (PDF)