Resources

Reports

Plea Tracking in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office

January 6, 2023

The purpose of this report is to highlight the insights from our first year that we can glean from plea tracking, describe the cases managed in the Durham Office, and draw attention to any emerging patterns in case characteristics and prosecutorial discretion.

Three Reasons Why Providing Cash to Families With Children Is a Sound Policy Investment

May 13, 2022

This paper, co-authored by Lisa Gennetian, provides three reasons why giving cash to families with low incomes is a sound policy investment for families and children. (It focuses on why cash is important, not which policy option is the optimal mechanism for distributing cash to families.)

Learning from Pre-K Teachers

August 1, 2020

During the spring of 2020, a statewide survey was undertaken to understand how early childhood educators sought to navigate the transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten Program and Remote Learning Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 1, 2020

Findings from a Statewide Survey of Teachers, by Robert C. Carr, Ph.D.

NC Pre-K Remote Learning Survey Results | COVID-19 Response

May 1, 2020

Children’s earliest experiences shape their brain’s architecture and create the foundation for healthy development and future learning. High-quality early learning environments support children in meeting critical developmental milestones, and children who attend high-quality early education programs are better prepared for success in school — academically, socially and emotionally.

Where Does the Money Go

November 1, 2017

This report provides a comprehensive look at 2014 social spending by the federal government on children ages 0-8 and breaks down program spending by family income.

Self-Regulation and Toxic Stress Report 2: A Review of Ecological, Biological, and Developmental Studies of Self-Regulation and Stress

February 1, 2015

This report builds on the previous report in this series, Foundations for Understanding Self-Regulation from an Applied Developmental Perspective, which describes a theoretical framework that is utilized in the present review of empirical ecological, biological, and developmental studies.

Self-Regulation and Toxic Stress Report 1: Foundations for Understanding Self-Regulation from an Applied Perspective

January 1, 2015

This is the first in a series of four inter-related reports titled Self-Regulation and Toxic Stress, with subtitles specifying the focus of each report.

Substance Use and Abuse in Durham County 2014

February 3, 2014

According to the North Carolina (N.C.) Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, approximately 18,000 adults and 1,000 children in Durham County abused or were addicted to illegal drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol in 2012(1). Substance abuse not only impacts the individual and his/her family, but also the community.

Attendance in Durham Primary Schools

June 1, 2013

This memo examines recent data from Durham Public Schools related to student absenteeism. This memo examines four related issues surrounding absenteeism: Description of student absenteeism by grade-level Persistence of truancy from one year to the next The association between truancy and grade retention, and The overlap between absenteeism and tardies.

Mental Health Outreach Program (MHOP) Evaluation Report

January 1, 2012

This report summarizes preliminary findings associated with the MHOP program that began in Durham County in January of 2011.

America’s Promise Alliance: 10 Indicators of Academic Achievement and Youth Success

July 1, 2011

Approximately one quarter of U.S. students do not graduate from high school with their peers. Failing to complete high school severely limits opportunities for employment and future financial stability. High school dropouts earn lower wages through their lifetime and work for fewer years.1 The costs to society of high school dropouts are also high and…

Final Report to the Spencer Foundation

June 15, 2011

In 2009, the Spencer Foundation renewed its generous support of the Data Center with an additional two years of funding. In addition, Duke University and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction have continued to support the Data Center through the collaborative relationship established in the current Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.

Evaluation of the HillRAP Intervention in Davie County Middle Schools 2008-2010

June 1, 2011

This report presents the final findings for a two-year evaluation of the Hill Center Reading Achievement Program (HillRAP) as implemented in a middle school setting from September 2008 to June 2010. The Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University conducted this evaluation in collaboration with the Davie County Public Schools and the Mebane…

Multiple Response System (MRS) Evaluation Report to the North Carolina Division of Social Services (NCDSS) 2006

June 30, 2006

At the request of the North Carolina Division of Social Services (NCDSS), the Center for Child and Family Policy at The Terry Sanford Institute at Duke University evaluated the Multiple Response System (MRS) reform for families reported to child welfare in 10 MRS pilot counties.

Substance Use and Abuse in Durham County 2006

January 1, 2006

The impact of substance use and addiction surrounds us and affects every aspect of our Durham community.

Multiple Response System (MRS) Evaluation Report to the North Carolina Division of Social Services (NCDSS) 2004

April 1, 2004

In response to a request from the North Carolina Division of Social Services (DSS),Center for Child and Family Policy at The Terry Sanford Institute at Duke University evaluated the Multiple Response System reform for families reported for child maltreatment.