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NORC at the University Chicago

Jennifer Hamilton

Senior Vice President
Education & Child Development
Jennifer is an evaluation methodologist who leads teams to produce actionable results that inform decision-making

As the senior vice president of the Education & Child Development department at NORC, Jennifer has dedicated over 30 years to enhancing the social, academic, and economic outcomes of students through rigorous research and innovative methodologies.

Jennifer collaborates closely with policymakers, practitioners, and other education stakeholders to ensure that research addresses their needs, ultimately contributing to a more efficient education system. Her deep knowledge and methodological skills ensure that projects are conducted with the highest degree of rigor, leading to more effective and streamlined educational practices.

As a principal investigator, Jennifer oversees a variety of research studies from kindergarten to post-secondary education. She is leading a project for the Gates Foundation to create a research and development ecosystem that helps educators access high-quality instructional materials, thereby improving academic outcomes. Additionally, Jennifer is evaluating civics curricula to assess their impact on high school students' civic learning and engagement, which is crucial for developing an informed and active citizenry.

Jennifer's work emphasizes the role of education in workforce development and its economic outcomes. By improving educational practices and outcomes, her research supports the preparation of students for successful careers, contributing to a stronger economy. Before joining NORC, Jennifer was a senior scientist at Westat, where she enhanced the rigor and validity of numerous education studies. She remains driven by her desire to make a positive impact in education through research, collaboration, and a focus on efficiency and economic development

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Expertise

Education

PhD

University of Maryland

MA

The George Washington University

BA

The George Washington University

Appointments & Affiliations

Board of Directors & Former President

Eastern Evaluation Research Society

Project Contributions

Curriculum & Learning Improvement Project (CLIP)

Creating an innovative data ecosystem to support classroom instruction and education research

Client:

Gates Foundation

Evaluating the U.S. Military’s Sexual Assault Prevention Programs

Rigorous evaluation of five initiatives aimed at preventing sexual harassment and sexual assault

Funder:

U.S. Department of Defense

Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center Project

Evaluating a collaborative family engagement infrastructure across Washington state

Client:

U.S. Department of Education

Graduate Research Fellowship Program Pilot Project

Innovating data collection methods to track National Science Foundation research fellowship outcomes

Client:

National Science Foundation

Curriculum & Learning Improvement Project (CLIP)

Creating an innovative data ecosystem to support classroom instruction and education research

Client:

Gates Foundation

College Board Virtual Tutoring Program Evaluation

Assessing an intensive SAT math tutoring program for disadvantaged students

Client:

College Board

STEM Learning Opportunities Before & After COVID-19 School Closures

Examining COVID-19’s impact on high school math and science course trajectories

Client:

National Science Foundation

Assessing Distance Learning for the Bureau of Indian Education

Understanding how best to reach and teach students who lack broadband service

Client:

Bureau of Indian Education

Engaging Youth for Positive Change Program Evaluation

Evaluating whether a civics education curriculum helps improve rural community health outcomes

Client:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Generation Citizen Evaluation

Evaluating how the innovative curriculum affects student learning, motivation, and engagement

Client:

Institute of Education Sciences

“PreK On My Way” Evaluation

Assessing the impact and implementation of Scholastic’s new preschool curriculum

Client:

Scholastic

Fulton County STEM Schools Study

An early assessment of how well new STEM high schools are serving those principles

Client:

Fulton County Schools

College Mentoring Programs Evaluation

Assessing ways to increase college completion rates for historically underserved students

Client:

ECMC Foundation

Our Sunday Visitor Institute

Tailored survey development to improve and assess a Catholic charity’s initiatives

Client:

Our Sunday Visitor Institute

Ready Classroom Mathematics Curriculum Evaluation

Correlating the use of Ready Classroom Mathematics with student achievement

Client:

Curriculum Associates, LLC

Washington State K-12 Civics Education Survey

A mixed-methods data collection effort to thoroughly understand how Washington teaches civics

Client:

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Combatting Pandemic Learning Loss

Providing data-driven insights to reduce COVID’s impact on STEM learning

Client:

National Science Foundation

Publications

Research Library & Findings