Research What We Do
The Department of Research & Evaluation has several functions. Each year, we conduct evaluations of various programs and initiatives throughout the district. In the past, we have evaluated technology initiatives, reading interventions, campus-based initiatives, and program pilots. We also conduct major district-wide surveys throughout the year, including the student, parent, and staff climate surveys. In addition, we assist in establishing the reliability and validity of district-created assessments and assessment systems.
Our team brings data analysis expertise which can be used to answer administrators’ research questions throughout the year. As part of the process of conducting program evaluations and institutional research, we visit campuses to interview administrators, meet with teachers, conduct classroom observations, and lead focus groups with students and parents.
Our department also facilitates the review and approval of external research requests and drafts data sharing agreements as needed to support our work with external partners. If you are interested in submitting a proposal to conduct research in the district, please visit our external research page.
Instructional Data Support
Our vision is to make data a part of an on-going cycle of instructional improvements and to provide support that fosters a data-driven culture within the district.
We provide a data-driven instructional approach that relies on information to inform teaching and learning with a method teachers can use to improve instruction by looking at the information they have about their students.
The Instructional Data Support department provides campus leaders and teachers a method through DecisionEd to use data about their students to improve instruction and monitor progress. We create and customize reports to meet the data needs of our campuses in a user friendly format.
To access DecisionEd, use the Data Central district website.
Use the Cherwell support ticket system to report any issues with current DecisionEd reports or to make a new report request.
About Us
Assessment & Evaluation
Erica Simmons
Erica Simmons is the Executive Director of Assessment & Evaluation. Erica started her career in Round Rock ISD as a teacher at Hopewell Middle school in 2006 and has also served the students in our district as an Instructional Coach, Coordinator of Academic Data Analysis, and Associate Director of Instructional Data Support.
Elaine Stutz
Elaine Stutz joined the Instructional Data Support team of the Research & Evaluation department in 2020. Previously, she worked as a Data Analyst for the Assessment & Accountability department and supported the McNeil and Westwood Learning Communities. Elaine has over ten years of experience with other school districts across Texas including Copperas Cove, La Feria and Marble Falls. Prior to joining Round Rock ISD in 2014, Elaine worked in the corporate world; most recently as a Reporting Specialist for Sears Holdings.
Crystal Wang
Crystal joined Round Rock ISD in 2022 as a past evaluation analyst at Austin Independent School District (AISD). During the last 9 years at Austin ISD, she led evaluation designs, data collection and analysis and evaluation reports for multiple projects including arts integration program and college readiness programs. Prior to joining Austin ISD, Crystal was a lead evaluator at the Collaborative for Evaluation and Assessment Capacity (CEAC) in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. During her stay in Pittsburgh, she worked on a variety of programs in the areas of kindergarten through 8th grade mathematics and science reform; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education; international higher education; and community-based human services. Crystal obtained a PhD degree from the University of Pittsburgh and MPA degree from The Ohio State University.
Have a question about data collection, program evaluation, or conducting research in Round Rock ISD?