The Institute investigates the obstacles, barriers, and enablers of educational, occupational, and economic status outcomes. Research findings are disseminated broadly with the aim of impacting public policy incident to the creation of promotion of educational access, attendance, and attainment. The Institute combines the tenets of research and policy to improve local practices in educational settings.

The Institute uses outreach activities to convene critical dialogues regarding educational policies and practices. These activities provide the venue to examine the implications of current legislations and initiatives affecting African Americans and education at large. Collegial relationships are forged to better serve the challenging demands of the educational community from preschool through adulthood years.

The Institute's research agenda has been supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts and others; including The Charles Stewart Mott, W. K. Kellogg, Ford, Rockefeller, and Lilly Foundations. The Patterson Research Institute has produced more than ten groundbreaking publications or reports addressing the status and condition of various education sectors (e.g. teacher preparation, preschool through high school education).

The research agenda, priorities and activities of the Institute seek to address the most important and challenging educational issues confronting African Americans in the United States and abroad.