Welcome to Learning Policy Institute

The Learning Policy Institute conducts and communicates independent, high-quality research to improve education policy and practice. Working with policymakers, researchers, educators, community groups, and others, the Institute seeks to advance evidence-based policies that support empowering and equitable learning for each and every child. Read More

Report

Building a Well-Qualified Transitional Kindergarten Workforce in California: Needs and Opportunities

Estimates show that California has a substantial, urgent need for new lead and assistant transitional kindergarten teachers. To meet this need, California must develop new teachers and draw upon educators currently in the workforce. State policymakers can take steps to stabilize, support, and expand the broader early childhood workforce and build pathways for racially, linguistically, and culturally diverse educators.
News

LPI Is Hiring

Join LPI's team of research, policy, human resources, and communication experts working to improve education policies and practices that support empowering and equitable learning for each and every student. Current open positions include Human Resources Generalist (Palo Alto, CA or Washington, DC), Information Technology and Palo Alto Office Administrator (Palo Alto, CA), Researcher and Policy Analyst or Associate – Early Childhood Learning (Palo Alto, CA), and Senior Performance Assessment Specialist (Palo Alto, CA or Washington, DC).
Tool

Tools for Implementing the Science of Learning and Development in Districts and Schools

Implementation tools on the science of learning and development can help stakeholders redesigning their schools to support whole child learning. Summary briefs offer short, user-friendly synopses of the key concepts in Design Principles for Schools and a self-assessment tool helps stakeholders and leaders in schools, district offices, and education organizations assess their needs and prioritize areas for their redesign efforts.
Brief

Preparing Transitional Kindergarten to 3rd Grade Educators Through Teacher Residencies

An additional 12,000 to 15,000 credentialed teachers are needed to support California’s expanded transitional kindergarten (TK). High-quality early childhood–focused residencies, such as Fresno’s Teacher Residency Program and UCLA’s IMPACT Program, can help districts strategically build TK teacher capacity. These programs encompass coursework, university–district partnerships, clinical experiences, and resident and mentor supports and can lead to a more fully prepared and diverse teacher workforce.
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Our Work

Early Childhood Learning
High-quality early learning provides young children, particularly those from low-income households, with the foundation that research shows improves academic success and provides long-term benefits.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/early-childhood-learning
Deeper Learning
The Learning Policy Institute explores three key components of deeper learning strategies: * Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment * College, Career, and Civic Readiness * School Organization and Design
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/deeper-learning
Educator Quality
We explore three key components of educator quality: * Evaluation and Career Development * Professional Learning * Recruitment and Retention
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/educator-quality
Equitable Resources and Access
Equitable distribution of financial and other critical resources, including access to high-quality educators, college-preparatory curriculum, and support services, creates the foundation necessary for every child to succeed.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/equitable-resources-and-access
Accountability and Improvement
Effective accountability systems ensure adequate and equitable resources and enable ongoing improvement. They do this by providing the information, capacity building, and support needed to identify strengths and challenges, and make necessary improvements.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/accountability-and-improvement
In the News
Media outlets around the country turn to the Learning Policy Institute’s research and staff for evidenced-based insight into critical issues facing our schools and students.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/in-the-news
Publications
The Learning Policy Institute publishes and widely disseminates its research and analysis to contribute to public knowledge and policy decision making. All LPI publications are subject to rigorous research standards and external peer review.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/products/all-publications
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Learning Policy Institute has produced an extensive collection of resources to inform and guide policymakers and stakeholders in the development of state ESSA plans.
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/essa

Focus on Whole Child Education

Educating the Whole Child: Improving School Climate to Support Student Success
Report

Educating the Whole Child: Improving School Climate to Support Student Success

Sep 07 2018
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Each year in the United States, 46 million children are exposed to violence, crime, abuse, homelessness, or food insecurity—experiences that can affect attention, learning, and behavior. This report looks at neuroscience, science of learning, and child development research on whole child approaches to education that improve learning for all students, especially those living with trauma.
Report

Design Principles for Schools: Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action

Jun 08 2021
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Education aims to give every student opportunities to learn and thrive, but the outdated design of our schools contributes to widening inequalities. Science provides a clear path forward: students’ knowledge, skills, and well-being can be significantly influenced and improved by learning environments that use whole child design. Key design principles show how schools can utilize the science of learning and development to reshape systems, structures, and practices to improve student outcomes.
Group of adults and children smiling and seated in a circle.
Brief

California Community Schools Partnership Program: A Transformational Opportunity for Whole Child Education

Oct 22 2021
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A historic $3 billion investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Program provides an opportunity to transform schools into community hubs that deliver whole child education. Examining key elements of the new law, LPI and Opportunity Institute researchers lay out evidence-based principles of high-quality community schools implementation that are aligned with the science of learning and development and discuss the need for technical assistance.