Educational Equity Research

Completed

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Michael Rodriguez

Started:

2020

Funding:

NSF

Location

Lisboa, Portugal

Scope

National and International

Overview

Multi-year study examining disparities in adult competency levels across socioeconomic groups, providing evidence for policy interventions.

This landmark multi-year study examines disparities in adult competency levels across socioeconomic groups, analyzing how factors such as income, education, employment status, and geographic location influence skill development and retention. The research has informed policy interventions in multiple jurisdictions and contributed to equity-focused education reform initiatives.

Key Findings

Study results demonstrate that intensive support programs combining skill training with wraparound services can reduce competency gaps by 40% over three years, with sustained improvements observed in follow-up assessments.

Impact

The policy recommendations from this project influenced educational reforms in 4 jurisdictions and led to €25 million in investment in educational equity programs.

Objectives

1
Document and analyze competency disparities across socioeconomic groups to provide evidence for equity-focused policy interventions.
2
Evaluate the effectiveness of targeted intervention programs designed to reduce skill gaps among disadvantaged populations.
3
Develop policy recommendations for creating more equitable access to quality adult education and skill development opportunities.

Highlights & News

Equity-Focused Adult Education Strategies January 2026
Workshop examining successful approaches to reducing educational disparities and providing equitable access to quality adult learning opportunities.
Wraparound Support Services in Adult Education October 2025
Training on integrating comprehensive support services with skills training to address barriers faced by disadvantaged learners.
UNESCO Forum on Educational Equity 2025 November 2025
Presentation of landmark study findings demonstrating the effectiveness of intensive support programs in reducing competency gaps.
National Policy Conference on Adult Learning September 2025
Policy briefing on evidence-based recommendations for creating more equitable adult education systems.