Martha Bleeker

About Martha Bleeker

Martha Bleeker, a principal researcher at Mathematica in Princeton, NJ, has expertise in designing and conducting impact evaluations of education and school-based programs for government agencies and foundations, using both experimental and quasi-experimental methods.

Experience

1. Principal Researcher

   Mathematica

   Mar 2021 — Present · Princeton, NJ, US

   o Has led design and administration of mixed‐method surveys and evaluations of numerous education and school-based programs—including Promise Neighborhoods, Harlem Children’s Zone-Healthy Harlem program, Playworks, Roads to Success, and teacher-induction programs—to understand academic, health, and social-emotional outcomes and barriers facing K–12 students.o Developed and pilot-tested survey protocols, conducted cognitive interviews, and managed data collection (surveys, focus groups, interviews, observations) to ensure rigorous, student, parent, and teacher-centered measurement of outcomes and perceptions. o Directed data cleaning, coding, and statistical analyses; synthesized findings into concise reports, issue briefs, and toolkits that informed district and federal program improvements.o Supervised and coached interdisciplinary teams, delivered training on survey methodology and quality-control standards, and partnered with educators, academic researchers, federal agencies, and clients to translate evidence into improving targeted interventions for enhancing student wellbeing and academic success.o Collaborate with school districts, state departments of education, and universities to help generate and apply evidence, with the goal of improving learner outcomes. Develop user-friendly tools to help educators and families understand research findings and select and implement research-based strategies to improve students’ behavioral and academic outcomes.o Led systematic evidence reviews and development of products for the US Department of Education\'s What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) to help educators and researchers understand educational program effectiveness, intervention components, and study characteristics across multiple topic areas—including interventions aimed at improving English/Language Arts, STEM, and social-emotional/behavioral outcomes of PreK-12 students.

Education

• Penn State University

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Human Development and Family Studies, Statistics Minor

  1999 — 2005

• Emporia State University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Psychology; Gender and Ethnic Studies

  1995 — 1999

Skills

• Education Policy Research
• Educational Research
• Survey Design
• Survey Research
• Data Collection
• Statistical Data Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Staff Supervision
• Accelerometer
• Observational Studies
• Program Evaluation
• Quantitative Research
• Recess Observations
• Focus Groups
• Research Design
• Policy Analysis
• Research
• Statistics
• Public Policy
• Qualitative Research