SRI and LEARN Network Senior Research Adrienne Woods joins Alida Hudson, researcher with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), to discuss PALS-RD (Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies with Reading Differentiation), an evidence-based literacy program designed to accelerate recovery in reading in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woods and Hudson explore the program’s development, scaling journey, and impact, and discuss key takeaways for educators, researchers, and other interest holders.

PALS-RD was created as an adaptation of the long-standing PALS model, which pairs students in structured, peer-based activities to strengthen fluency and comprehension. By integrating continuous progress monitoring and word study strategies, the PALS-RD program supports students who may have missed critical early literacy foundations during school closures.

Early results show that students with weaker reading comprehension made measurable gains, and teachers reported that the program fit easily alongside existing curricula. With plans to expand to more districts nationwide, PALS-RD represents a promising tool for literacy recovery at scale.

• Learn more about PALS-RD here.
• Learn more about the LEARN Network at learntoscale.org.
• Learn more about Adrienne Woods here.
• Learn more about Alida Hudson here.

Access a transcript of this episode and browse our full archive of episodes at sri.com/homeroom.

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In Episode 16 of The SRI Homeroom podcast, host Keith Heumiller joins SRI Senior Education Researcher Adrienne Woods and Julie Kelleher, founder of the Kelleher Consulting Group, to explore the critical role of marketing in bringing educational innovations to scale.

As researchers and developers work to support student success and address long-standing challenges in the K-12 classrooms, Woods and Kelleher highlight why simply creating effective, evidence-based solutions isn't enough—successful scaling demands a strategic, market-first mindset from the very beginning.

Drawing on real-world examples and lessons learned from their work with the LEARN Network - a national initiative working to support the creation, testing, and scaling of effective, evidence-based interventions - they offer a roadmap for researchers and developers to navigate a crowded marketplace and position their innovations for maximum impact.

They also share a broad range of free resources - including toolkits, playbooks, templates, and public workshops - designed to help education innovators move from idea to widespread adoption. Listen to the episode, download a transcript, and read more at https://learntoscale.org/

Interested in creating and scaling an educational innovation? Attend the free LEARN to Scale Virtual Workshop on May 1, 2025, from 3 to 4pm ET.

Access a transcript for this episode and learn more in this LEARN Network blog.

Browse all episodes of The SRI Homeroom visiting SRI.com/Homeroom.

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Over the past two decades, the number of STEM graduates has doubled. Yet diversity in STEM remains a challenge, with underrepresented students facing barriers to entry and advancement.

Today, host Jenna Nguyen talks with education researchers Andrea Beesley and Carol Tate from SRI about the work being done to foster diversity and inclusion in postsecondary STEM education.

Beesley and Tate discuss the ongoing efforts and findings from the STEM Core Expansion Alliance, a project funded by the National Science Foundation’s Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES National Network. The initiative is aimed at supporting low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented community college students pursuing STEM careers.

Explore how community support and equitable access to education play crucial roles in addressing challenges and driving success in STEM initiatives.

• Learn more about how the STEM Core Expansion Alliance is advancing STEM education for underrepresented students by visiting the STEM Core Expansion Alliance website.
• Discover how the NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES National Network fosters collaboration and builds scalable, equitable STEM networks by visiting the NSF INCLUDES National Network.

• Andrea D. Beesley is a Senior Principal Education Researcher with SRI Education. She specializes in studying math learning environments and creating supportive spaces for STEM education. Learn more about Andrea and her work here.
• Carol E. Tate is a Senior Education Researcher with SRI Education, specializing in design, research, and evaluation projects aimed at enhancing teaching quality in STEM fields from elementary school through college. Learn more about Carol and her work here.

Access a transcript for this episode and browse our library of podcasts by visiting SRI.com/Homeroom

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