MN Associates, Inc. (MNA) is a woman-owned, small business based in Northern VA that specializes in providing education research and program evaluation services to clients across metropolitan DC and beyond (AZ, FL, MO, NC, OH, and OK). Established in 2005, MNA is headed by Kavita Mittapalli, Ph.D. who has over 15 years of experience in conducting research and evaluation for various programs and initiatives for not-for-profit, for-profit; state and higher education agencies and institutions. Through extensive training in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, design, statistical analyses, program management, technical assistance, and decision-making skills, MNA’s team provides thorough, accurate, and timely information on the implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of program services. Our work is guided by the principles of American Evaluation Association (AEA).
Currently, MNA is evaluating the following grants and programs/initiatives in K-12 STEM, career readiness, higher education access, teacher quality, education technology, early childhood education, arts integration, and after-school programs. These include: NSF grants-Robert Noyce Scholarship track with Appalachian State University, NC and MSP Community Enterprise track – STEM Achievement in Baltimore Elementary Schools (SABES) with Johns Hopkins University; DOL/ETA TAACCCT grants with Oklahoma City Community College (OK), Ozarks Technical College (MO), Montgomery Community College (MD), and Central Arizona College (AZ); 21st CCLC after school programs (Harford County Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools) and MSP (Math and Science Partnership) USDE-MSDE grants to Worcester, Cecil, and Garrett County Public Schools (Maryland). We are also working with the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE, DC) to evaluate the pilot program of educator effectiveness initiative for DC’s public charter schools and the National Education Association (NEA) to evaluate their Teacher Leader Initiative (TLI). Furthermore, MNA is completing the evaluations of early childhood programs (Judy Centers) for Harford and PG County Public Schools (MD), homelessness program (Anne Arundel County Public Schools) and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) STEM grant for Harford County Public Schools (MD).
MNA staff has written and presented over 90 technical reports, published 25 research findings-summaries and publications in various peer- reviewed journals, written a book and has contributed chapters in four books and handbooks and has presented in various regional and national conferences since 2002.
Kavita Mittapalli can be reached at kmittapalli at gmail dot com.