University Research
The University of Texas Elementary School uses research developed at the university to integrate into its instruction every day as part of its mission. In addition, periodically our school is called upon to participate in other research projects conducted through the university. High-level graduate students are interested in our students and their families, studying their habits and how we can improve what we know about topics from physical health to communication.
If you are interested in conducting a research project at UT Elementary, you must have IRB approval and fill out a research application form. 
For more information on research support from the university, contact the Office of Research Support.
Current Projects:
Applying the Response to Intervention (RTI) Model to Promote Physical Activity (PA) and Prevent Obesity in an Urban Minority Population
Researchers: Brian Dauenhauer and Dolly Lamdin
School-based physical activity and obesity interventions have promise because of the large amount of time that children spend in school. Latino children are at an increased risk of being sedentary and overweight and therefore require immediate intervention. The purpose of the proposed project is to test the effectiveness of applying an existing intervention model, Response to Intervention (RTI), to promote physical activity and prevent obesity in a primarily Latino population.
The RTI model has been used in reading and other academic areas to provide multiple levels of instruction based on student needs. When applied to physical education (PE) and health, the model will allow instructors to use PA, BMI, and fitness assessment data to identify students in need of additional support and tailor instruction on a personalized basis.
The project will consist of a year-long implementation of the RTI model with primarily Latino second through fifth graders in a pre- and post-test research design. Tier 1 will include 150 minutes per week of quality PE and health education. Tier 2 will consist of small group sessions during school hours with the PE teacher to encourage goal-setting, progress monitoring, and social support for healthy behaviors. Tier 3, pending separate funding, will be an invitation to participate in an after-school program including parents and students providing intensive physical activity and nutrition guidance.
The project will be a collaboration between a large university and an affiliated elementary school. Results of the study will be directly disseminated to students in the teacher preparation program at the university, to surrounding schools through the Urban Education project, and to practicing educators via professional journals and conference presentations.
Cross-cultural investigations of children's awareness and perception of stuttering and the resulting role of entrapment of persons who stutter
Researcher: Maya Gamez
