Nance Bell
Research Associate
Nance Bell is a Research Associate with SEDL's Research and Evaluation (R&E) program. Her current work focuses on the design and implementation of a summative evaluation of SEDL’s past 5 years of work in the Texas Comprehensive Center statewide capacity building project.
Contact Information
You may contact Nance Bell at 512-391-6527
Dr. Bell’s current research interests include research and evaluation and democracy and education.
- Research and Evaluation: Dr. Bell is experienced in designing and conducting small- and large-scale evaluations, with a specialization in the use of qualitative and mixed methods. She has worked on education evaluation projects involving early literacy, cultural diversity, educational leadership, afterschool programs, and teacher professional development and certification, among others.
- Democracy and Education: In 2007–2008, Dr. Bell worked with SEDL on an exploratory study, funded by the Kettering Foundation, examining the promotion of democracy in U.S. public schools through the development of community engagement with schools and districts. She also has done work in this area with a nonprofit that mobilizes young people to work on educational issues and with Texas Forums, which works to engage citizens in local educational issues.
Dr. Bell has worked with SEDL as an independent consultant and staff member since 1992. Prior to returning as a staff member in 2009, she worked as an independent consultant on educational research and evaluation projects with several organizations, including SEDL, the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Voices for Education and Youth, Evaluation and Applied Research Associates, and the Texas Education Agency. Dr. Bell also spent 9 years teaching college classes in sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and Austin Community College. Education
Dr. Bell holds a BA in sociology from the University of North Texas and an MA and PhD in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. SEDL Publications
- Evaluation of Educator Professional Development Programs Implemented at the Regional and Local Levels Final Report (2006)
- Evaluation Report on the Teacher Diversity Project at SEDL (2005)
- A Position Paper on Scientifically Based Research for SEDL (2003)
- After Certification: The Experience of National Board Certified Teachers in Oklahoma (2003)
- Evaluation of Staff Development Sessions on Scientific Research at SEDL, Summer 2002 (2003)
- Marketing and Evaluation Report on SEDL's Leadership for Changing Schools Staff Development Training Package (2003)
- Rood, M., Roberts-Gray, C., & Bell, N. (2005). Crossing boundaries to evaluate a large scale program to promote quality early childhood care and literacy development in high need and underserved families. Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Evaluation Association, Toronto, Canada.
- Guerra, P., Betsinger, A., Bell, N., Nelson, S., Alsobrook, M. E., & Dray, B. (2000). Through their eyes: Educators’ reflections about staff development on intercultural communication in the classroom. Symposium session at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.
