NIRN

NIRN National Implementation Research Network

EIC: A promising strategy to close math achievement gapsThe challenge of improving math outcomes is not just about choos...
03/23/2026

EIC: A promising strategy to close math achievement gaps

The challenge of improving math outcomes is not just about choosing a strong curriculum; it is also about implementing it well. A new brief from the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC) highlights promising strategies districts used to strengthen curriculum implementation, build leadership and implementation capacity, and support stronger student engagement and achievement in mathematics. The findings reinforce what implementation science continues to show: better outcomes depend not only on the “what” but also on the “how.”
Take a look at the brief to see practical strategies related to readiness, shared planning, data use, coaching, and long-term sustainability.

💡 Did you know? NIRN’s Research and Evaluation Agenda is focused on advancing implementation science through practice-ba...
03/20/2026

💡 Did you know?

NIRN’s Research and Evaluation Agenda is focused on advancing implementation science through practice-based research, stronger evidence, and practical solutions grounded in real-world work. It reflects NIRN’s commitment to creating knowledge that improves implementation, informs policy, and strengthens outcomes across human services.

Implementation doesn’t fail because people don’t care; it often struggles because it looks different everywhere.Across t...
03/19/2026

Implementation doesn’t fail because people don’t care; it often struggles because it looks different everywhere.

Across the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC), one thing has been clear: variability in implementation is the norm, not the exception. Districts are navigating different contexts, leadership structures, data systems, and levels of readiness. The result? Even when using the same evidence-based practices, outcomes can vary widely.

But here’s the shift: variability isn’t just a challenge, it’s data.
When teams intentionally examine where and why implementation looks different, they can:

• Identify what’s working (and for whom)
• Surface barriers across systems
• Strengthen consistency without losing necessary flexibility
• Make smarter, more responsive decisions

The goal isn’t rigid fidelity; it’s a usable, scalable implementation that adapts with integrity.

EIC districts are showing us that when variability is expected, studied, and acted on, it becomes a driver for improvement, not a barrier.

What does practitioner success actually look like in implementation work?In Rochester City School District, it looked li...
03/17/2026

What does practitioner success actually look like in implementation work?
In Rochester City School District, it looked like staying the course, even when implementation felt “messy, unpredictable, and often rocky.”

This resource from NIRN highlights Rochester’s journey as part of the NY Math Network, and it’s a powerful reminder that success isn’t about perfection. It’s about:

🧭 Committing to a clear vision for high-quality instruction
🧭 Building systems that support educators, not overwhelm them
🧭 Persisting through challenges while keeping equity at the center

Practitioners in Rochester didn’t just adopt new materials; they engaged in the hard, ongoing work of aligning systems, strengthening supports, and improving practice over time.

If you’re in the middle of your own “storm boat” moment, this story is worth the read.
👉 https://nirn.fpg.unc.edu/resource/ny-math-network-rochesters-implementation-journey/

We’re excited to share an update to the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC) Final Report.To make the findings more act...
03/17/2026

We’re excited to share an update to the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC) Final Report.

To make the findings more actionable and relevant, we’ve added a set of targeted briefs designed for different audiences:

🔎 Technical Assistance providers
🔎 District and school staff
🔎 Funders and decision-makers

Each brief highlights key learnings, practical strategies, and implications tailored to the unique role each group plays in supporting implementation and improving outcomes.

Whether you’re building capacity, supporting systems change, or making investment decisions, there’s something here for you.

Take a look and let us know what resonates most.

Many organizations invest significant time selecting strong programs, strategies, and innovations. But the real challeng...
03/16/2026

Many organizations invest significant time selecting strong programs, strategies, and innovations. But the real challenge often isn’t what to implement, it’s how to make it work in everyday practice.

Across sectors, we see a familiar pattern: well-designed initiatives struggle to take hold because implementation support isn’t fully in place. Clear roles, aligned leadership, ongoing coaching, and meaningful use of data are often the difference between an initiative that fades and one that actually improves outcomes.

Closing the gap between intention and practice requires more than adoption; it requires intentional implementation.

Curious to hear from others:

Where do you see the biggest gap between what organizations aim to implement and what actually happens in practice?

We’re excited to share a new brief from the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC) that highlights key learnings for tech...
03/16/2026

We’re excited to share a new brief from the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC) that highlights key learnings for technical assistance providers supporting district improvement.

The Challenge: Math proficiency is a critical foundation for students’ future occupational and economic success. Yet historically disadvantaged groups, including students experiencing poverty and Black, Latino/a, American Indian/Alaska Native, and English Learner-designated students, continue to trail behind their peers in math proficiency.

This brief shares practical strategies for building buy-in, using data for continuous improvement, aligning efforts across district systems, and strengthening support through coaching, professional learning, and communities of practice. Together, these approaches help districts move from good ideas to meaningful, sustained change.

How do districts move from adopting high-quality instructional materials to actually using them well in classrooms?That ...
03/11/2026

How do districts move from adopting high-quality instructional materials to actually using them well in classrooms?

That question sparked the Effective Implementation Cohort (EIC) a multi-year collaboration bringing together districts, curriculum providers, and implementation partners to better understand what it takes to implement high-quality middle school math curriculum at scale.

Through shared learning, data collection, and cross-district collaboration, the cohort explored the systems, leadership, and implementation strategies needed to support educators and sustain change.

We’re excited to share the Effective Implementation Cohort Final Report! 🎉Over the past several years, districts, curric...
03/09/2026

We’re excited to share the Effective Implementation Cohort Final Report! 🎉

Over the past several years, districts, curriculum providers, and implementation partners came together to learn what it really takes to successfully implement high-quality middle school math curriculum. Along the way, they explored the leadership, systems, and strategies needed to move beyond simply adopting new materials to truly supporting teachers and improving student learning.

This month, we’ll be sharing insights and lessons from this work.

Take a look at the interactive report here:
🔗 https://sisep-center.shorthandstories.com/eic-final-report/index.html

Are you attending NABE this week? The National Association of Bilingual Education is taking Chicago by storm, from Febr...
02/10/2026

Are you attending NABE this week? The National Association of Bilingual Education is taking Chicago by storm, from February 11th through the 13th.

While there, be sure to connect with NIRN Co-Director, Ximena Franco-Jenkins, Ph.D., who would love to share her work in bilingual education and implementation.

Don’t miss her two presentations this week as she showcases the impactful work of her projects and colleagues.

What if community pharmacists could help close the behavioral health access gap?📖 A new study led by Melanie Livet, Ph.D...
02/09/2026

What if community pharmacists could help close the behavioral health access gap?

📖 A new study led by Melanie Livet, Ph.D. in BMC Health Services Research explores how pharmacists were supported to deliver behavioral health screenings, education, and referrals using an effectiveness–implementation hybrid design.

🗝️ The key takeaway: role expansion works best when paired with intentional implementation strategies.

A great read for anyone interested in workforce innovation and implementation science.

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