Assessment, Research and Evaluation Home
Assessment, Research and Evaluation
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The Henrico County Public Schools Department of Assessment, Research and Evaluation — or DARE — is responsible for the administration of division-level assessments and management of the Virginia Assessment Program. Assessments are part of the school division’s teaching and learning process. With a focus on developing life-ready learners, HCPS is committed to a balanced assessment program using purposeful (diagnostic, formative and summative) measures of various types, aligned with content standards and guided by the Henrico Learner Profile.
We strive to facilitate a reliable assessment program which includes the administration of assessments such as the Cognitive Abilities Test, ACCESS for ELLs, the PSAT, Growth Assessments and Virginia Standards of Learning. Using a combination of assessments can enable students, families and educators to get timely and meaningful student data to support, guide and maximize learning.
Assessment/Testing Links
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DARE staff research, collect, interpret, and disseminate data related to HCPS’ strategic plan, Journey to 2030. Journey to 2030 establishes four strategic focus areas and associated goals:
- ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - All students will engage in rigorous and meaningful learning experiences to build character and develop knowledge, citizenship, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative thinking skills.
- LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - All students and staff will learn and work in safe, welcoming, and innovative spaces.
- PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH - All students and staff will be provided the opportunity to engage in support and services designed to address physical, social, emotional, and mental health.
- RECRUIT, ENGAGE, RETAIN AND REWARD STAFF - All students will benefit from the support and expertise of staff who are valued as professionals, recognized for their contributions, and well compensated for their work.
Data Links
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DARE staff members conduct research to support the development and implementation of programs. Research may take the form of surveys, interviews, focus groups and literature reviews. Staff members often collaborate with external researchers.
The department accepts applications from researchers to conduct research studies or collect data within the division. Applications are evaluated four times a year by a committee that includes appropriate staff from other HCPS departments. The Research Proposal Application below contains detailed information on the application process along with the application.
Program Evaluations and Research Links -
HCPS welcomes the opportunity to partner with external organizations such as institutions of higher learning or businesses on grant proposals that benefit the division‘s teachers and students. The grant proposal must be submitted to the HCPS Office of Grants Coordination for review and approval before submission to the grant funder, whether or not HCPS is named as a formal recipient of the grant funds. (Applications for Henrico Education Foundation funding are submitted to the HEF program officer, not the Office of Grants Coordination.)
Following the division’s established approval process will ensure that:
- The project is consistent with the division’s goals, objectives and program efforts.
- HCPS has the capacity to accomplish the proposed activities.
- The grant conditions and stipulations can be met without conflicting with Henrico School Board policies or state and federal law.
Contact Cheryl Gray Ball in the Office of Grants Coordination at 804-652-3370 or cgrayball@henrico.k12.va.us to discuss grant opportunities.
Grants Links