As a progressive laboratory school, one of Falk’s founding missions is to develop new and innovative educational practices through research.

This year, Falk is engaging in faculty-led research on equity, mathematical differentiation, and the arts, as well as partnering with local universities to explore topics like racial attitudes and AI feedback tools. To learn more about Falk’s research tier system, visit our research mission page. 

Tier 1: Faculty-Driven Research 

Matt Picklo and Benoni Outerbridge are experimenting with equitable grading practices like minimal grading, using single-point rubrics, and making homework a non-graded activity. Their research, which was recently presented through the International Association of Laboratory Schools, is inspired by Joe Feldman's book, Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms. 

Jackie Metcalf, Autumn Dillaman, and Danya Lang are working with teachers from Falk and other laboratory schools to explore best practices in differentiation for upper elementary mathematics. One of their primary goals is to identify and promote an effective balance between casual inquiry and explicit instruction. 

Stephanie Bohanan is using data from a recent survey to determine what role student-teacher relationships play in involvement with the Falk music program. Moving forward, she hopes to reissue her survey to new respondents, confirm emerging themes, and adjust her teaching practices to promote stronger engagement with Falk’s musical offerings. 

Elizabeth King and Micah Downs recently wrapped up a study investigating the impact of different learning groupings on student engagement and outcomes. Throughout the study, fourth-grade students were observed in groups based on self-selected gender identity, subject area interest, and subject area skill level. 

Tier 2: University-Falk Collaboration 

Michelle Sobolak and Katrina Bartow Jacobs recently presented on the impact of Fundations, a structured literacy curriculum implemented at Falk in August 2023. After one year of the program, Falk has seen improvement in both test scores and teacher support. 

Autumn Dillaman, Kevin Goodwin, and Elizabeth King are working with Origametria, a geometry program developed in Israel, to teach mathematical principles through hands-on origami lessons. Moving forward, Falk hopes to join Carlow University’s research on Origametria and teacher comfort with geometry instruction. 

Tier 3: Externally Driven Research 

The Cognitive and Social Development Lab at Carnegie Mellon University is working with Christa Cooke and Colleen Lataille to investigate how diverse picture books can help foster positive racial attitudes in 3- to 8-year-old children.  

Laura Greif, Jackie Metcalf, Micah Downs, and Elizabeth King’s classes are participating in a study funded by the National Science Foundation to investigate how eRevise, an AI tool, can support classroom teachers by providing automatic feedback on students’ analytical writing and revision skills. 

Chris Leatherwood, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, is partnering with Christina Graham to analyze the relationship between mistakes, self-perception, and learning in middle school math classes.