Meredith Powers Franco

Meredith Powers Franco is a Research Scientist at the University of Virginia’s Youth-Nex Center within the School of Education and Human Development. She specializes in culturally responsive practices, equity, and disproportionality in education, working with the Preventive Interventions Team (PIT-CREW) to develop and evaluate programs addressing systemic inequities. Franco holds a Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology from UVA (2023), alongside multiple advanced degrees from UVA and the University of Maryland.

Her research focuses on measuring classroom climates and equity-supportive practices through observational and survey methodologies. Notable contributions include the development of the CARES classroom observation tool and systematic reviews of culturally responsive pedagogy assessment methods. Franco’s work emphasizes psychometric rigor and intersectional approaches to educational equity.

Recognition includes the APA’s Outstanding Dissertation Award for her work on culturally responsive practices validation, Start with Equity Fellowship, and multiple state/national honors as a top graduate student and practitioner. She has published in journals like Review of Educational Research and explores topics ranging from tribal school mental health to neurodiverse gender identities.