Public skepticism toward education research has been growing, with many Americans expressing concerns about its relevance and effectiveness. A 2024 Gallup poll revealed that 73% of U.S. adults were dissatisfied with the quality of public education, marking the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001 (the74million.org). Similarly, a 2024 Pew Research Center survey found thatContinue reading “The Impact of Education Research”
Education Reform Faculty Contribute to New Digital Hub for Education Policy Research
Education Reform Faculty Contribute to New Digital Hub for Education Policy Research Three Department of Education Reform faculty members have contributed to a dynamic new education policy resource, the Live Handbook of education policy research. The new digital hub for evidence-based education policy research is online-only so it can be easily updated in real time.Continue reading “Education Reform Faculty Contribute to New Digital Hub for Education Policy Research”
Measuring Green Learning and Action at the Implementation Level: GREEN Climate and Education Data and Measurement Roundtable Series
On April 8, 2025, Unbounded Associates hosted a virtual discussion on emerging practices and challenges around measurement and data collection for education and climate indicators at the program implementation level. The objective was to share emerging practices and challenges around measurement and data collection on relevant education and climate indicators at the program implementation level. Speakers includedContinue reading “Measuring Green Learning and Action at the Implementation Level: GREEN Climate and Education Data and Measurement Roundtable Series”
Mississippi’s Literacy Breakthrough
My new piece in The Conversation looks at Mississippi’s education miracle. Once ranked near the bottom of U.S. education standings, Mississippi has improved student literacy rates and moved to the top of U.S. rankings. The rest of the country — and world — might want to take note. Mississippi’s offers a proven solution to theContinue reading “Mississippi’s Literacy Breakthrough”
The Learning Crisis in the United States After COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools around the world were closed for long periods, affecting over one billion children. In the U.S., schools were closed or partially closed for nearly two years (667 days) between January 2020 and December 2021. The impact on education has been severe across all countries, including wealthier nations like the U.S.,Continue reading “The Learning Crisis in the United States After COVID-19”
COVID-19 and Learning Loss
The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in global education systems. Schools around the world were forced to close their doors in 2020, with some reopening in 2021 while others remained closed for extended periods. On average, schools worldwide were closed for 22 weeks, equivalent to about two-thirds of an academic year. While many countries attemptedContinue reading “COVID-19 and Learning Loss”
Afghanistan Shows What Investing in Women’s Education – Or Divesting – Can Do to An Economy
My piece in The Conversation last week reported on new research shows that Afghan women earned 13% more for every additional year of schooling they received after the Taliban fell in 2001. That progress is now in peril. While the overall average return on investment in education remains low in Afghanistan, it is high forContinue reading “Afghanistan Shows What Investing in Women’s Education – Or Divesting – Can Do to An Economy”
The Learning Crisis: Three Years after COVID-19
The recently released results of TIMSS 2023 reveal significant variations in student performance across and within countries, with disparities strongly influenced by gender and family background. A recent study by researchers from Denmark, Germany, Poland, and the United States analyzed this new data alongside findings from previous cycles highlights a global learning crisis. For twoContinue reading “The Learning Crisis: Three Years after COVID-19”
Improving National Education Systems After Covid-19
Book Launch and Presentation 17:30 to 19:00 (Western European Time) On November 4th, the book Improving National Education Systems After Covid-19 – Moving Forward After PIRLS 2021 and PISA 2022 will be launched, a collective work published by Springer that explores the challenges and recent lessons learned by the education systems of several countries. The session takes placeContinue reading “Improving National Education Systems After Covid-19”
Education, economics and public policy 