Reino Makkonen

Overview

Reino Makkonen is an expert in educator workforce issues who studies educator mobility patterns and evaluates educator development programs via quasi-experimental research designs and integrated quantitative and qualitative methods, often including validating interview, survey, and observational measures. As a Senior Research Manager with the Research-Practice Partnerships team, Makkonen helps state and district leaders develop theories of change for new initiatives, design measurement plans to monitor early indicators, and use and apply research evidence to improve outcomes for learners, especially those in underserved populations.

The research partnerships directed by Makkonen in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah in recent years have yielded several peer-reviewed research studies published by the Institute of Education Sciences and have shaped educator policy and practice decisions in each state, including new state funds dedicated to improving instructional observation and feedback.

Before joining WestEd, Makkonen spent several years developing, implementing, and studying early literacy curricula with Houghton Mifflin.

Education

• PhD in educational measurement and evaluation, University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Education
• MA in administration, planning, and social policy, Harvard University, Graduate School of Education
• BA in journalism and mass communication, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Select Publications

Makkonen, R., & Jaquet, K. (2021). Principal retention patterns in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah (REL 2022–129). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, REL West.

Makkonen, R., & Jaquet, K. (2020). The association between teachers’ use of formative assessment practices and students’ use of self-regulated learning strategies (REL 2021–041). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, REL West.

Fong, A. B., Makkonen, R., & Jacquet, K. (2017). California teacher retirement projections: A county and regional perspective (REL 2017–181). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, REL West.

Makkonen, R., Tejwani, J., & Venkateswaran, N. (2016). How are teacher evaluation data being used in five Arizona districts? (REL 2016–142). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, REL West.

Lash, A., Makkonen, R., Tran, L., & Huang, M. (2016). Analysis of the stability of teacher-level growth scores from the student growth percentile model (REL 2016–104). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, REL West.

Makkonen, R., Tejwani, J., & Rodriguez Jr., F. (2015). A descriptive study of the pilot implementation of student learning objectives in Arizona and Utah (REL 2016–102). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, REL West.

Strunk, K., Weinstein, T., & Makkonen, R. (2014). Sorting out the signal: Do multiple measures of teachers’ effectiveness provide consistent information to teachers and principals? Education Policy Analysis Archives, 22(100).