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

young children working with a teacher
Blog

It’s Time to Ask a Different Question About Preschool Effectiveness

Recently released research studies have revisited the question, "Does preschool make a long-term difference in the academic and life-long success of participants?" While these studies underscore the importance of context when assessing the impact of preschool, they don’t change a fundamental finding: Attending a high-quality preschool leaves children better prepared for kindergarten and has lasting impacts on child outcomes, especially when it is followed by high-quality elementary school instruction.
Report

Deeper Learning Networks: Taking Student-Centered Learning and Equity to Scale

Apprenticeships and internships provide students with the opportunity to explore interests and talents, build new skills, and connect their learning to real-world tasks. Internships are a key element of the student experience in schools that are part of the Big Picture Learning network, one of three networks studied in Deeper Learning Networks: Taking Student-Centered Learning and Equity to Scale.
Event

Separate and Unequal: How School Investment and Integration Matter for Educational Opportunity and Attainment

Nov 14 2019
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More than half a century after the passage of Brown v. Board, the nation’s schools are becoming increasingly segregated by race and income. And yet, a large body of research shows that school desegregation benefits all students. At this briefing, speakers discussed the research and polices on integration and school funding and how they impact students during school and later in life.
Policy Playbook

Community Schools Playbook

This resource, from the Partnership for the Future of Learning, provides a comprehensive policy guide for implementing and sustaining community schools. It includes detailed information on the four key pillars of comprehensive community schools and features communications and policy development resources, including model legislative language and policy examples from across the United States.
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Our Work

Early Childhood Learning
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
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
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
Topic: Equitable Resources and Access
Equitable Access and Resources
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
Topic: Accountability and Improvement
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
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
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 School Finance

Report cover image for Investing for Student Success Lessons from State School Finance Reforms
Report

Investing for Student Success: Lessons from State School Finance Reforms

Apr 09 2019
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Money matters when it comes to improving our nation’s schools, but how that money is spent is critical. This report reviews and analyzes efforts by four states to undertake progressive school funding strategies in order to substantially improve learning opportunities for all students and provides recommendations for federal and state policies to address funding inequalities that contribute to the cycle of poverty.
Cover photo for Sharing the Wealth: How Regional Finance and Desegregation Plans Can Enhance Educational Equity
Report

Sharing the Wealth: How Regional Finance and Desegregation Plans Can Enhance Educational Equity

Feb 28 2019
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In American public schools, most racial and ethnic segregation—and most financial inequity—occurs between, not within, school districts, which is why cooperative interdistrict approaches are often the most effective at addressing these problems. Looking at three regions—Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; and Omaha, NE—the authors examine interdistrict desegregation designs that use innovative funding strategies to foster equity, quality, and access. They share academic and social outcomes and identifies lessons for policymakers.
Report

Essential Building Blocks for State School Finance Systems and Promising State Practices

Dec 05 2018
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The cost for failing to properly invest in a high-quality public education for all children has grave implications for both the students and society at large. A new report shares essential state-level strategies and examples to help policymakers develop equitable and effective school finance systems.