Research & Evaluation
Independent studies designed to examine implementation, experience, outcomes, and impact—and to make the findings useful.
Explore evaluation →Independent education research & evaluation
Evidence that moves
education forward.
MIDA helps education leaders, institutions, funders, and innovators understand what works, improve implementation, and turn evidence into confident decisions.
Program evaluationHigher educationEducational innovationStrategic research
Clarity for consequential decisions
Rigorous inquiry. Practical insight. Meaningful improvement.
We bring research expertise and decades of educational leadership to complex questions about programs, people, systems, and change.
Higher Education
Strategy and inquiry informed by firsthand leadership across academic programs, institutional change, assessment, and student success.
Explore higher education →Educational Innovation
Evidence-building for emerging models in AI, career-connected learning, instructional technology, and system redesign.
Explore innovation →Our approach
Independent enough to be credible. Collaborative enough to be useful.
Every engagement begins with the decisions our partners need to make—not with a predetermined method. We build an evaluation around the model, its context, and the people it is intended to serve.
- 01Clarify
Define the theory of change, evaluation questions, audiences, and standards of evidence.
- 02Design
Select credible qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods suited to the work.
- 03Learn
Study implementation and outcomes while creating timely feedback for improvement.
- 04Communicate
Translate findings into clear reports, decisions, and a stronger path forward.
Selected work
Evidence in context.
Projects may be named publicly, described with permission, or presented as anonymized engagements to protect partner and participant confidentiality.
Featured case study · August 2023
Lindsay Unified School District
A learning journey of young entrepreneurs
Fourth- and fifth-grade learners used a project-based food-truck challenge to apply mathematics, science, art, technology, economics, and social studies while building creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical-thinking skills.
Read the case study →Independent outcomes study · 2022
Project-based learning and elementary student growth
MIDA conducted an independent, mixed-methods study for Defined Learning comparing reading and mathematics growth among 1,585 students in grades three through five. Students in schools with sustained implementation recorded higher average growth across every comparison, with statistically significant differences in reading across all three grades and mathematics in grades three and four.
Read the study on Defined Learning →Formative implementation study · 2024
Understanding educators’ experiences with project-based learning
MIDA surveyed 73 K–12 educators in a regional public school system to understand how Defined Learning was being used and how teachers perceived its influence on students. Educators reported particularly positive changes in engagement, teamwork, collaboration, and communication, while identifying opportunities for deeper instructional integration and continued support.
Read the anonymized report →Decades of leadershipFrom institutional strategy to student experience
Higher education expertise
We understand institutions from the inside.
MIDA’s perspective is grounded in senior academic leadership, graduate and professional education, curriculum and assessment, technology-enabled learning, and the practical realities of institutional change.
- Academic and administrative leadership
- Program design, curriculum, and assessment
- Student engagement, persistence, and retention
- Career-connected and workforce-aligned learning
- Artificial intelligence and educational strategy
- Institutional innovation and sustainability
Insights & publications
Ideas for education’s next chapter.
Research, books, and field-informed perspectives at the intersection of learning, leadership, innovation, and work.
Featured publication · 2025
The Portrait of a Graduate Handbook
A practical, research-informed guide supporting districts in designing, implementing, and sustaining Portrait of a Graduate initiatives.
Research & insights · December 2025
Education at the Edge of Reinvention
How artificial intelligence, project-based learning, and career-connected pathways are converging to reshape teaching and learning over the next decade.
Read the article →
Higher education · October 2025
The Future of Higher Education in the Age of AI
Bold predictions for how AI may reshape learning, faculty roles, credentials, campus experiences, institutional efficiency, equity, and access.
Read the article →
Project-based learning · Research interview
Project-Based Learning and Durable Skills
An AI-generated interview examining communication, collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, and stronger alignment between education and industry.
Read the article →Deep Dive podcast
The WHY of Career Exploration
Why early, intentional career awareness matters for student engagement, motivation, informed choices, and long-term success.
Listen to the podcast →17-minute Deep Dive podcast
Portrait of a Graduate Handbook Overview
A concise overview of the handbook’s purpose, core competencies, and practical implications for developing a shared graduate profile.
Listen to the podcast →The MIDA network
Experienced leaders, assembled for the question at hand.
MIDA combines a core leadership team with a national network of researchers, practitioners, and subject-matter experts. Each engagement is staffed around the expertise it genuinely requires.
20+Years across educational leadershipMixedMethods research capabilityK–20Perspective across the learner journey
Welcome to MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC - Your Partner to achieve Educational Excellence
MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC stands as a pillar of innovation and expertise in the areas of educational consulting and research. We are more than just a consulting network; we are a dynamic consortium of affiliate partnerships and a network of exceptionally qualified educational professionals, driven by a shared passion for educational advancement.
At the core of MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC lies a commitment to positively shaping the future of education. We believe that education is the cornerstone of progress, and our mission is to facilitate that progress through informed strategies and groundbreaking research.
MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC stands as a pillar of innovation and expertise in the areas of educational consulting and research. We are more than just a consulting network; we are a dynamic consortium of affiliate partnerships and a network of exceptionally qualified educational professionals, driven by a shared passion for educational advancement.
At the core of MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC lies a commitment to positively shaping the future of education. We believe that education is the cornerstone of progress, and our mission is to facilitate that progress through informed strategies and groundbreaking research.
Join MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC on a Journey of Transformation
MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC invites you to embark on a journey of educational transformation. We understand that the education landscape is ever-evolving, and we are here to help you navigate every twist and turn. Whether you are an educational institution seeking to enhance your curriculum, an organization with a vision for educational innovation, or you are seeking external research on project impact, we have the expertise to support your goals.
MIDA Learning Technologies, LLC invites you to embark on a journey of educational transformation. We understand that the education landscape is ever-evolving, and we are here to help you navigate every twist and turn. Whether you are an educational institution seeking to enhance your curriculum, an organization with a vision for educational innovation, or you are seeking external research on project impact, we have the expertise to support your goals.
Affiliate Partnerships
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For nearly 15 years, MIDA has proudly partnered with Defined, an innovative educational software company based in Chicago. Together, we have focused on advancing Defined’s mission to foster career-connected, project-based learning that boosts academic achievement and nurtures essential 21st-century skills. Through rigorous, research-based evaluations and the development of impactful resources—including the Portrait of a Graduate Handbook—MIDA has contributed to refining Defined’s educational solutions. This partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to empowering educators and inspiring students with high-impact, research-driven instructional strategies.
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Educational Research: Illuminating the Way Forward
Our dedication to educational research is unwavering. We have assembled a network of educational professionals who are pioneers in conducting research that informs and transforms the educational landscape. Through meticulous data analysis and cutting-edge methodologies, we unearth insights that empower educational institutions to evolve and excel. From innovative teaching techniques to understanding the ever-evolving needs of students, our research paves the way for educational excellence. Strategic Planning: Navigating Towards Success Strategic planning is the compass that guides educational institutions to success, and we excel in crafting these essential roadmaps. We collaborate with our clients to understand their unique challenges and aspirations. Armed with a deep understanding of data and trends, we develop tailored strategies that not only address perplexing problems but also support promising ideas. Our strategic planning services provide a clear path towards achieving your educational objectives. |
A Network of Experts: Your Partners in Progress
Our strength lies in our network of highly qualified educational professionals. These experts bring diverse experiences and perspectives, enriching our collective knowledge and ability to provide comprehensive solutions. Together, we are poised to tackle even the most complex educational challenges, ensuring that your institution thrives and evolves. |
Start a conversation
What do you need to understand?
Tell us about the program, decision, or innovation you are exploring. We will help you identify the questions that matter and the evidence needed to answer them.
Contact MIDA →