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

Principal giving elementary students a high five in front of a yellow school bus.
Report

Developing Effective Principals: What Kind of Learning Matters?

Strong school leadership is critical for shaping productive learning environments, supporting excellence in teaching, and influencing student outcomes. But how can leaders strengthen their skills and knowledge to most effectively achieve these effects? Two decades of scholarship shed light on the elements of high-quality principal preparation programs and professional development associated with positive outcomes.
Webinar

Community Schools: An Evidence-based Whole Child Approach to Education

May 26 2022
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The U.S. Department of Education virtual Professional Learning Series takes an in-depth look at how community schools can transform student learning and outcomes. The series examines programs from across the country, explores ways that community school approaches can further whole child learning, and digs into the ways that pandemic federal relief funding (including American Rescue Plan funds) have been used to support community schools.
Webinar

Webinar—Strengthening the Bench of Principals: Evidence and Examples from Universities, Districts, and States

Jun 06 2022
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Effective principals produce better outcomes for their schools. Two comprehensive studies on principal learning, commissioned by The Wallace Foundation, explore the roles universities, states, and districts all play in ensuring that principals get the preparation and ongoing support they need to be successful. Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and RAND Corporation share highlights from these studies, followed by a panel discussion on research implications.
Webinar

Webinar—Developing Effective Principals: What Kind of Learning Matters?

Jun 07 2022
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Strong school leadership is critical for shaping productive learning environments, supporting teachers, and influencing student outcomes. This webinar, co-sponsored by AASA, explores district policies and practices that can lead to the presence of strong leaders in schools and shares examples of districts that have successfully implemented such practices.
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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.