Uzbekistan’s Televised Learning Success While most countries saw learning losses during COVID-19 school closures, Uzbekistan defied the trend. A new study shows math scores for Grade 5 students rose by 0.29 standard deviations during the pandemic. Even more striking, students tracked from 2019 to 2021 improved by 0.72 SDs. How? Daily televised lessons, taught by top teachers, reached allContinue reading “No Internet? No Problem.”
What Happens to Earnings When We Improve School Quality?
Why Learning—Not Just Schooling—Drives Economic Returns* — Originally published on Substack We know education pays—but what if how much you learn matters more than how long you stay in school? For decades, researchers have measured the value of education by counting years spent in the classroom. But education isn’t just about time—it’s about outcomes. A growing bodyContinue reading “What Happens to Earnings When We Improve School Quality?”
Reaffirming the Value of Education Research
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—independentContinue reading “Reaffirming the Value of Education Research”
Career Lessons from 30 Years at the World Bank
After three decades at the World Bank, I’ve had time to reflect on what this journey has taught me. While some memories have blurred, a few career lessons have stood the test of time—and I hope they’ll resonate with others forging their own path. When I joined the Bank, it was on a short-term consultancyContinue reading “Career Lessons from 30 Years at the World Bank”
The Impact of Education Research
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”
Education, economics and public policy 