Natalie Lacireno-Paquet

Overview

Natalie Lacireno-Paquet works with local and state education interest holders to answer questions about what works, how, and why with the goal of improving the experiences, outcomes, and successes of students—particularly students from underserved and/or marginalized populations. Lacireno-Paquet conducts applied research and evaluation projects using a range of methodologies, including randomized control trials, quasi-experimental design (QEDs), implementation, and correlational studies.

As the Applied Research and Research-Based Development Lead, REL Northwest, Lacireno-Paquet partners with state and local education leaders in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to develop applied research studies and research-based tools designed to inform high-leverage policy and practice decisions. In addition, she provides support and oversight in study design, execution, and overall quality assurance for REL Northwest research.

She has served as principal investigator or coprincipal investigator of studies related to teacher mobility, professional learning, personalized learning, and pathways to graduation. She has led all aspects of applied research studies, including developing proposals, securing data sharing agreements, designing, implementing, reporting, and dissemination.

Education

• PhD in public policy, The George Washington University
• MA in public policy and women’s studies, The George Washington University
• BA in political science (Honors), McGill University

Select Publications

Ahigian, R., & Lacireno-Paquet, N. (with Lolashvili, G.). (2024). The North Dakota personalized, competency-based learning initiative: Progress and outcomes after 5 years. WestEd.

Bailey, J., Khanani, N., Lacireno-Paquet, N., Shakman, K., & Bock, G. (2020). Teacher preparation and employment outcomes of beginning teachers in Rhode Island (REL 2020–029). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands.

Lacireno-Paquet, N., Shields, K. A., Agnew, L., & Gallo, A. (2019). A descriptive analysis of expanded pathways to graduation in New York State. Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands at Education Development Center.

Lacireno-Paquet, N., Bocala, C., & Bailey, J. (2016). Relationship between school professional climate and teachers’ satisfaction with the evaluation process (REL 2016–133). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands.

Shakman, K., Zweig, J., Bocala, C., Lacireno-Paquet, N., & Bailey, J. (2016). Teacher evaluation and professional learning: Lessons from early implementation in a large urban district (REL 2016–115). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands.

Riordan, J., Lacireno-Paquet, N., Shakman, K., Bocala, C., & Chang, Q. (2015). Re-designing teacher evaluation: Lessons learned from a pilot implementation in New Hampshire. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands.

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations

Lacireno-Paquet is a What Works Clearinghouse reviewer certified in group designs version 4.1.

Recent Media Appearances

• Innovations in research: How we’re approaching evaluation differently in North Dakota, KnowledgeWorks, May 24, 2021.
• Teacher evaluations: The role of principal leadership and trust, EducationWeek, May 4, 2016.