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

    Photo courtesy of the Goucher Prison Education Partnership.

    2024 Annual Report

    A reflection on the promising new approaches and new resources that have been brought to bear in the last decade.

    Abell Report: “Justice by Geography”: Improving Pretrial Electric Monitoring in Maryland

    Recent changes to state funding have reignited conversations among Maryland corrections leaders about expanding and strengthening electronic monitoring (EM) and pretrial services. This report summarizes key findings from the Justice Policy Institute’s research into EM as well as best practices.

    Abell Report: Evidence of Racial Bias in Home Appraisals in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area

    Racial bias in home appraising can harm individuals by making home purchases more expensive or refinancing unattainable, but when compounded on the community level, it can have profound impacts on minority communities’ ability to build wealth. Using newly available federal data, this report finds evidence of systemic appraisal bias that undervalues homes in predominantly Black communities in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.

    Publications Library

    Abell Salutes: Allan M. Tibbels

    In appreciation of his remarkable life in Sandtown.

    Why Can’t Johnny Read?

    Baltimore’s school-based vision-screening program may be leaving thousands of children with uncorrected eyesight problems. Six recommendations for strengthening the vision screening system in Baltimore City Public Schools.

    Vitamins & Violence: Can Micronutrients Make Students Behave, Schools Safer and Test Scores Better?

    Vitamins-and-violence theories remain tantalizing; the idea seems like common sense to many.

    Foster Children Are Our Children

    Are they finding homes with families they can call their own?

    Abell Salutes: The Baltimore City College Speech and Debate Program

    For adding successful years to its successful record of 138 years.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.