K-12 Education
K-12 EDUCATION
Better Evidence.
Stronger Schools.
Helping school districts and education partners evaluate programs, secure funding, engage communities, and plan for stronger student outcomes.
Shaffer Evaluation Group (SEG) brings research expertise and practical insight to the challenges facing K–12 education—from improving teaching and learning to guiding districtwide decisions.
OUR APPROACH
Helping schools turn evidence into action.
School districts face complex decisions about programs, resources, student needs, and long-term priorities. They need reliable information, thoughtful analysis, and trusted partners who understand the realities of public education.
SEG works with districts, schools, education agencies, and nonprofit partners to address these challenges through applied research, program evaluation, grant development, and strategic planning.
Our approach combines rigorous methods with meaningful stakeholder engagement. We listen to educators, administrators, students, families, and community members to understand local circumstances and ensure that findings reflect the realities of implementation.
Whether assessing a federally funded initiative, investigating workforce needs, or developing a districtwide strategic plan, we help education leaders move from questions to evidence—and from evidence to informed action.
K-12 Services
RESEARCH & SPECIAL STUDIES
Find answers to the questions that matter.
From needs assessments and school climate studies to workforce research and community consultations, we help district leaders investigate complex issues. Our research brings together quantitative and qualitative evidence to inform policy, resource allocation, and program decisions.
PROGRAM & GRANT EVALUATION
Understand what's working--and how to improve it.
We design and conduct independent evaluations that help districts assess program and grant project implementation, measure outcomes, and strengthen effectiveness. Our work supports accountability and continuous improvement through practical findings that educators can use.
GRANT DEVELOPMENT & WRITING
Turn promising ideas into competitive proposals.
We help education partners identify funding opportunities and develop compelling, evidence-informed grant applications. From needs assessments and program design to logic models, measurable objectives, and evaluation plans, we bring research and grant development expertise to the proposal process.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Build a shared vision for the future.
Working with district leaders and community stakeholders, we support strategic planning processes that connect organizational priorities with actionable goals. Through stakeholder engagement, environmental scans, data analysis, and facilitated planning, we help districts develop practical roadmaps for improvement.
OUR EXPERIENCE
Experience across the K-12 landscape.
Effective solutions begin with an understanding of the educational context. SEG brings experience working with schools, districts, and education partners on initiatives that span academic achievement, educator development, student engagement, and organizational improvement.
Our work includes:
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STEM and Mathematics Education: Evaluating instructional initiatives, professional learning, and efforts to strengthen students' preparation for STEM pathways.
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Literacy and Academic Achievement: Studying programs and instructional approaches designed to improve learning outcomes.
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Career and Technical Education: Assessing regional workforce needs, educational pathways, and alignment between education and industry.
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Out-of-School Learning: Evaluating afterschool, summer learning, and enrichment programs that extend educational opportunities.
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School and District Improvement: Supporting needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, school climate research, and long-range planning.
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Grant-Funded Initiatives: Helping grantees meet evaluation and reporting requirements while generating evidence to strengthen implementation.
Across these areas, our work is grounded in the belief that useful evidence should help educators and administrators make better decisions for the students and communities they serve.
“SEG . . . completed the project on time and under budget. They also worked to ensure the accuracy of the information and worked with me directly to develop the best approach to providing the information to our stakeholders.”
— School District Superintendent
Client Spotlight
ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Evaluation of Gifted Education Program (2022-2024)
This statewide evaluation examined gifted identification processes, alignment between state and national gifted education standards, and assessed the impact of gifted programming on yearly student progress and student retention rates.
Let's strengthen what's working.
Whether you're developing a new initiative, evaluating a grant-funded program, investigating an educational challenge, or planning for the future, we can help.
Bring us your questions. We'll help you find the evidence and develop a path forward.
Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation.