Public skepticism toward education research is rising in the U.S.—but the data tells a different story.
My new article explores how rigorous, evidence-based education research has quietly but powerfully improved student outcomes across the country and beyond.
From Mississippi’s literacy gains to CUNY’s ASAP program, from Boston’s universal pre-K to global online tutoring trials during the pandemic—independent research has driven real, replicable progress.
The challenge isn’t a lack of evidence. It’s making research more accessible, actionable, and aligned with the realities of classrooms and communities.
I call for stronger partnerships between researchers and educators, clearer summaries of “what works,” and policies informed by cost-benefit analyses.

Read more:

Reaffirming the Value of Education Research: Evidence, Impact, and the Path Forward https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/BYGFER4TTYHAUGDD7ZYU/full?target=10.1080/15582159.2025.2513149

Here are a few resources on what works:

• A global cost-effectiveness database for education policies and interventions: http://www.globaled-database-lays.org
• What works clearinghouse: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/
• What works hub for global education:https://www.wwhge.org/
• Improving learning in low-and lower-middle-income countries: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-benefit-cost-analysis/article/improving-learning-in-low-and-lowermiddleincome-countries/DA3D0AAC19F94DC83B9211F963F8A4D7
• Education Endowment Foundation (EEF): educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
• 3ie Development Evidence Portal: developmentevidence.3ieimpact.org
• Annenberg Institute: https://annenberg.brown.edu/recovery/about
• J-PAL: povertyactionlab.org
• Brookings Institution: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/early-childhood-education-global-hub/