MTSU’s Assessment, Learning and Student Success doctoral program staff announced a new collaboration with Murfreesboro City Schools this week that provides students with research opportunities in local classrooms.

The research-practice partnership will allow incoming ALSS doctoral students research access to MCS beginning this fall in exchange for providing expertise based on research results to aid MCS in strategically planning initiatives to best support schools and student success. 

“The MTSU ALSS Ed.D. develops doctoral-level expertise through systematic, sustained cycles of inquiry in real-world educational environments,” said Kevin Krahenbuhl, ALSS Ed.D. program director. “This collaborative partnership exemplifies and amplifies this applied learning with reciprocal benefits. We are very excited about this journey together.” 

College of Education doctoral candidates will center their learning to a specific, real-world school and relevant, timely topics. 

“This agreement allows the doctoral candidates to work on actual issues we are considering and allows us to apply the findings to today’s teaching environment in our district,” said MCS Director Trey Duke, a three-time MTSU alumnus. “Research data will be shared with MCS leaders to help with strategic planning within our schools.” 

Research topics may include the effectiveness of one-on-one tutoring as it relates to student gains or the effects of an aggressive truancy plan on absenteeism rates. 

Additionally, MCS employees who enroll in the Ed.D. program will experience course topics and assignments that directly relate back to their classrooms and daily work. 

Duke completed the program himself when he graduated in spring 2021. 

“All of my work with MTSU has played an important role in my thinking and development as an educational professional,” Duke said. “Dr. Krahenbuhl and his team have created a program that I would hold up against any educational leadership program in the country.”

This new agreement further strengthens the relationship between MCS and the College of Education. The COE partners with the school district to provide education students training to be teachers with access to multiple, in-classroom, practicum student teaching placement experiences.

— Stephanie Barrette (Stephanie.Barrette@mtsu.edu)