What We’re Learning

What We’re Learning

We believe that a community of creative problem-solvers, faced with complicated, seemingly intractable challenges, is well-served by thought-provoking, research-based information and analysis. We support the development and dissemination of research in two ways:

Abell Reports

Abell Reports are commissioned reports by subject matter experts, academics, and investigative journalists that provide studies of selected issues on the public agenda.

Abell-Supported Research

These projects – undertaken with grant funding by academics and nonprofit research and advocacy organizations – advance learning on issues key to Baltimore City.

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    Featured Reports

    Abell Report: Later School Start Times for Adolescents in Baltimore City Public Schools

    Everyone agrees that teens need more sleep. So why does school start so early? This report examines the research on school start times and the implications for students in Baltimore City.

    2023 Annual Report

    Our 2023 Annual Report highlights the work of organizations across the city that are dedicated to addressing the complex challenges many of our neighbors face and of the great potential they hold.

    Abell Reports: Police-Community Relations in Baltimore

    In 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a consent decree for the Baltimore Police Department, mandating wide-ranging reforms. In a pair of companion reports, researchers from the University of Maryland examine the current state of community-police relations and how certain initiatives could help to improve them.

    Publications Library

    Building a Bright Future

    A Fund for Educational Excellence report on college readiness in Baltimore City public schools.

    College Opportunities and Success

    A BERC report on Baltimore City graduates through the class of 2014.

    Vacants to Value

    Baltimore’s bold blight-elimination effort is making modest progress despite limited renovation funds and questionable accounting.

    The Opacity Problem: An Examination of Baltimore City Infrastructure Contracts

    City infrastructure overruns and the challenge of transparency.

    Making the Grade: An Analysis of For-profit and Career Schools in Maryland

    The Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, with funding support from the Abell Foundation, explored the opportunities and costs of for-profit and career schools.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.