Bridging Research Information and Culture (BRIC) Initiative

The Bridging Research, Information, and Culture (BRIC) Initiative aims to strengthen cultures of inquiry and evidence in the California community college system via three, complementary means.

First, a technical assistance initiative will support 15 institutions in strengthening their capacities to collaboratively analyze and act on information, thereby strengthening cultures of inquiry and evidence. Selected through a competitive application process, seasoned researchers and faculty will provide tailored support during 2010-11. Three of these schools will receive support beginning in Spring 2010 as pilot colleges.

Second, the BRIC initiative will make available a suite of resources that will serve the entire system of 112 colleges, including:

• a series of inquiry guides that can be used by colleges to facilitate evolution of their own practice
• free one-day regional professional development opportunities, including a morning general session and individual college consultations in the afternoon
• online tools such as webinars and narrated PowerPoint presentations

Third, BRIC enables the RP Group to provide dedicated support to institutional researchers and planners. A central resource person has been hired to research and communicate existing resources, data tools, research strategies, and professional development opportunities as well as develop new services that will aid IRP professionals across the state. Such support is intended to streamline reporting responsibilities so that researchers and planners can spend more time engaging in meaningful conversations within their respective institutions about how to understand and use data and evidence to enhance student success.