Research Services has a professional staff of three who conduct institutional research/management studies, and prepare statistical reports for the District. Staff coordinate the annual administration and distribution of the results for the School Climate Surveys (parents, students, and staff). The Department prepares comprehensive long and short-term student enrollment projections required by the District to satisfy the conditions of the Florida Education Finance Program.

The Department is responsible for state-mandated data collection activities, such as the annual Title I Comparability study (Public Law 103-382, Section 1120A), and responds to data requests/surveys from outside agencies including the Educational Research Service, Council of Great City Schools, National School Board Association,etc. The Department of Research Services is also responsible for conducting longitudinal and cross-sectional dropout analyses as well as the annual high school graduation analysis.

Research Services serves as an approval center for surveys administered throughout the district. The Department also responds to numerous telephone and e-mail inquiries for information from a variety of sources including news media.

The Department publishes Statistical Highlights (containing summary information about the Miami-Dade County Public Schools). Various contemporary topics in educational research are addressed in Information Capsules and Research Briefs published by the Department.