Educational Research
Primary Role
P.K. Yonge, a unit in the College of Education of the University of Florida, was established in 1934 to be a center of educational innovation for students, K-12.
The primary role of the school is to develop, evaluate, and disseminate exemplary programs of education. As described in the Sidney Martin Developmental Research School Act, the mission of a Developmental Research School is to serve as a vehicle for research, demonstration, and evaluation regarding teaching and learning while utilizing the resources available on a state university campus.
P.K. Yonge has served such a role in the past and will continue to fulfill the mission of research, demonstration, and evaluation in the future.
Research Mission
P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School serves the state of Florida by conducting research studies regarding management, teaching, and learning. Instructional practices are investigated through formal studies, faculty directed action research, and assisting graduate students and university faculty with research projects involving P.K. Yonge students.
The school's primary research goal is to enhance instruction in mathematics, science, computer science, and foreign languages in a program that utilizes state of the art educational technology. Through a student body representative of the state in terms of Florida's socioeconomic and racial-ethnic composition, research studies and demonstration projects focus on practices with a diverse student population. The K-12 program enables longitudinal studies to investigate long term trends or effects of educational programs and practices that serve the developmental needs of all P.K. Yonge students.
P.K. Yonge research is directed at providing exemplary educational programs for students consistent with the school's "Values, Beliefs, and Goals," School Improvement Plan, and the Florida System of School Improvement and Accountability. P.K. Yonge is responsive to the needs of the school, college, and state in the selection of specific studies and programs for evaluation. Results are disseminated for the benefit of educators and students throughout Florida. Systematic dissemination of innovative practices and research summaries are provided to the Florida Department of Education, each Florida school district, and relevant national and international audiences.
Inservice programs, conference presentations, news releases, and professional publications are utilized to share results with the educational community and public.
Conduct Educational Research at P.K. Yonge
- Application for Research (UF College of Education)
- For specific information on procedures and copies of required forms for conducting research in Alachua County and at PK Yonge, as well as other information for researchers (e.g., IRB), please visit the UF College of Education site.
- Letters of support from Alachua County school personnel for grant proposals must be approved in advance by Dr. Donna Omer, Director of Project Development: (352) 955-7605, omerd@sbac.edu .