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

    2001 Annual Report

    This annual report provides an overview of the initiatives and themes that emerged in 2001, and spotlights the inspiring people and programs that led this important work in Baltimore.

    Abell Salutes: ACORN

    For strengthening neighborhoods house by house, and helping renters become homeowners.

    Baltimore City Community College at the Crossroads

    How remedial education and other impediments to graduation are affecting the mission of the college.

    Abell Salutes: Maglev-Maryland

    For keeping an eye on the prize—Baltimore to Washington in 20 minutes.

    Still Getting It Wrong: The Continuing Failure of Special Education in the Baltimore City Public Schools

    Special education students are not coming close to achieving their academic potential.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.