RFA researcher Leana Cabral and colleagues interviewed 30 Black public school teachers in Philadelphia to understand the reasons behind their departure from the profession. The study revealed that Black teachers face unique challenges, including racial discrimination, lack of support, and feeling undervalued. Many reported experiencing microaggressions, being overlooked for leadership roles, and feeling pressured to take on additional responsibilities related to race. The research, shared recently in The Conversation, highlights the importance of retaining Black teachers and promoting diversity in education. The findings suggest that addressing these issues is essential for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for Black educators.

At Research for Action, we're pioneering a new vision for education research - one that puts data directly into the hands of those closest to the issues we study. Our commitment to community engagement and equity-focused frameworks is reshaping how we approach educational challenges. In 2024, we've made significant strides in this direction. Our research on teacher diversity and economic opportunity has informed policy and practice. We've employed culturally responsive methodologies to assess the impact of existing policies and programs, always asking: "What works for whom and why?" 

As we look to 2025, we aim to expand our impact and reach. Your support can help us:

• Conduct more community-engaged research projects
• Expand our use of critical frameworks in assessing educational intervention
• Enhance our systems, ensuring we operate at the highest standards of efficiency and security

Join us in reimagining education research. Our primary focus remains on transformative research that advances a just education system. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help put powerful data and insights into the hands of communities, educators, and policymakers. Together, we can create lasting change in education.