Driven by a commitment to impactful research, the Burruss Institute collaborates with
educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations
to advance their missions through research and strategic guidance. These projects
deliver officials and administrators up-to-date data so they can serve their jurisdictions
or clients more effectively.
Every partnership addresses complex issues, drives innovation, and delivers meaningful
impact across our local and regional community.
21st Century Community Learning Center Program | Program Evaluation
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Program is a federal initiative
that supports centers nationwide, providing free before-school, after-school, and
summer learning opportunities for students attending high-poverty, low-performing
schools.
We partnered with Cobb County Schools to evaluate the Reach for the Stars 21st Century Community Learning Center in Acworth. This program serves elementary school students in grades 3 – 8 from two elementary schools and one middle school. The Institute provided formative and summative evaluations based on the program's goals. Site visits, school record data (i.e., attendance, grades, state assessment scores, disciplinary records), and youth/parent/teacher surveys were used to measure varied outcomes. Feedback was provided to program staff throughout the year, along with recommendations for best practices and professional development.
Albany State University
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program: Teaching Fellowship Track | Program Evaluation
The Burruss Institute partnered with Albany State University to evaluate the Teaching
Fellowships Track, a five-year initiative focused on preparing and retaining STEM
educators in high-need secondary schools. Our evaluation examined key program components,
including recruitment and onboarding, professional development and induction supports,
teacher leadership training, cohort retention, and dissemination of project findings,
drawing on multiple data sources including participant surveys, reflection journals,
and self-efficacy measures.
Government
Georgia Department of Public Health
Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program | Program Evaluation
We partnered with the Georgia Department of Public Health to evaluate the Adolescent
Health and Youth Development Program, an initiative aligned with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's Division of Adolescent and School Health. Grounded in a Positive
Youth Development framework, the program supports youth in becoming healthy, successful
adults through evidence-based programming, life skills development, community engagement,
and strategic partnerships.
Our evaluation examined implementation and outcomes of six core strategies across
twelve public health districts in Georgia, including teen pregnancy and STD/HIV prevention
education, life skills training, public awareness events on adolescent health issues,
youth development opportunities, and policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives.
Atlanta Regional Commission
Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey | Survey Distribution, Data Collection, and Analysis
The Atlanta Regional Commission has been conducting the Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey
since 2013 to understand what residents perceive as the strengths and weaknesses of
the Atlanta region. Each year, more than 4,000 adult residents across eleven counties
in the metro area are included in the sample. The data collected within each county
is weighted to reflect the county's adult population distribution.
In 2025, housing affordability was the Atlanta region's top concern. When asked about
the biggest problem facing Metro Atlanta, 28% of respondents said housing affordability,
followed by traffic (24%) and crime and the economy (13% each).
Each year, the Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey provides valuable insights about where
we are as a region, and where we are headed. On this year's survey, the concerns over
housing affordability came through loud and clear. Our region is making meaningful
progress on this challenge, but there's no doubt we have more work to do.
Andre Dickens
ARC Chair and Mayor of the City of Atlanta
Nonprofit
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs
Drugs Don't Work Program | Program Evaluation
The Drugs Don't Work program in Georgia is a statewide effort to reduce drug and alcohol
use in the workplace. A program of The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, the program provides
educational and training services to employers throughout Georgia. In turn, employers
can become certified drug-free workplaces.
Since 2011, the Burruss Institute has conducted program evaluations by collecting
and analyzing data from observations of program presentations, online surveys of chamber
of commerce members, and surveys of participating businesses.
