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

Blog

COVID-19 Challenges Catalyze Promising Shifts in Professional Learning

A thoughtful planning process following the first few months of distance learning led one San Francisco Bay Area school district to rethink its professional development strategy for elementary math instruction. The result: More collaboration, alignment, and engagement among teachers and minimal disruption to student learning, even when the pandemic necessitated switching of classrooms and teachers.

Webinar

Webinar: Building the ECE and TK Workforce Through Teacher Residencies

Dec 2, 2021 | California has made historic changes to its early learning policy with its commitment to expand transitional kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds in the state by 2025-26, but the expansion will require as many as 11,000 new lead teachers. This webinar will examine the important role that teacher residencies can play in expanding a well-prepared TK workforce.

Blog

An Unparalleled Investment in U.S. Public Education: Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes just over $170.3 billion for schools, making this the federal government’s largest-ever single education investment. With significant new funding, local and state education leaders have the opportunity to address the short-term need to reopen schools safely and to make strategic investments to advance equity and whole child practices.

Tool

Districts Advancing Racial Equity (DARE) Tool

The Districts Advancing Racial Equity tool provides a practical and accessible resource for understanding, assessing, and advancing racial equity within school districts. The tool captures research-informed, high-leverage aspects of schooling that school leaders can use to create systems that build on the strengths of and respond to the needs of students of color.

View More Publications

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

Report

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

Sep 07 2018

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

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

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.