As well as conducting our own research and evaluation, we also conduct commissioned research and have worked on a number of significant projects with both private and public sector organizations. For example; The Scottish Executive, The Institute of Physics, SCORE (Science Community Representing Education), Save the Children, The Wellcome Trust, The Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation.

Our Capacity

We engage in a variety of projects of all sizes. This can vary from brief reports to substantial randomised controlled trials that span several years and involve vast data collation and processing resources.

Unrivalled Expertise

We are one of the very few organizations who are experts in the field of educational assessment and monitoring. Working alongside our colleagues in the School of Education, The Wolfson Institute, and around the University, we are able to draw upon a range of expertise and intelligence across our organization. This means we are able to compile unique teams relevant to each project.

Rigorous Evaluation Methodology

We use rigorous evaluation methods, including large-scale cluster randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (examples, Durham Shared Maths Project, Fife Peer Learning and Screening and Interventions for Inattentive, Hyperactive and Impulsive Children).

Unique Data Resources

At CEM we enjoy a unique position, in that we routinely collect data from over 1 million pupils in 7,000 schools every year, including data such as:

• Abilities (curriculum and non-curriculum related)
• Attitudes (covering a wide range of issues)
• Attainment (performance and predicted performance)
• Behaviour (including trends over time)

We have been collating data and monitoring school performance in this way for almost 30 years. Today we host one of the world’s largest longitudinal data banks, which is updated annually. This means that we can investigate a wide range of issues, such as: Changes in children’s cognitive ability at the start of school over time, changes in the difficulty of examinations, and the cumulative effects of teachers in primary schools.

CEM Research and Evaluation Group

The CEM Research and Evaluation Group is a team of experienced researchers who have a variety of backgrounds in education. The Group includes former teachers from all levels of education, including primary and secondary schools and post-16 colleges.

Among our particular specialisms and interests are:

• Classroom-based interventions to help severely inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive young children
• Maths education
• Science education
• Dyslexia
• Comparability of GCSE and A level examinations
• Grammar schools and selection

Newsletters are also available for you to keep up to date on CEM's work.