Our Approach
Design Thinking is a human-centered, problem-solving approach popularized by IDEO and Stanford University’s Design School that focuses on solving problems by identifying the needs of people, brainstorming innovative solutions, and testing solutions.
PRAIS works with schools using a process called Design Thinking.
Design Thinking typically involves (at least) three steps: Inspiration, Ideation, and Implementation.
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Our team uses robust quantitative and qualitative research methods to create a comprehensive student needs-assessment.
Our methods are informed by sociological research practices, and examples of our methods include in-depth interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
Our advisory board consists of award-winning research professors who review our methods and findings for legitimacy. Our findings, however, are used solely for our work with schools and not published as academic literature.
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After producing a needs-assessment for schools, our team works with various stakeholders to create an Equity Initiatives Plan.
Our methods and process are informed by Design Thinking principles, which are used in order to create community-informed solutions.
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Our work is informed by a breadth of research in education, particularly the research produced by Howard C. Stevenson on the concept of racial literacy.
Our CEO, Shawn, conducted an award-winning research project on the nature of race relations and race-related programming in public high schools. Shawn’s research also informs the work we do. If you want to read his study, click here.
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We believe that each school is unique and deserves individualized support to best meet the needs of their students. As a result, we attain a holistic understanding of a school’s environment to create and implement initiatives that are tailored specifically for their students.
We use Design Thinking along with sociology-based research methods to partner with schools. Our process involves two steps: Research and Collaboration. Read more about the steps below.
Source: The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design (IDEO 2015).