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Investing in school principals may be the highest-leverage strategy to address education's most pressing challenges — from teacher retention to student achievement. Strong preparation, ongoing professional development, and better working conditions help principals build the thriving schools every student deserves.
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The science of learning and development research identifies several core principles that explain how children develop, learn, and thrive. Applying this science can help education systems better meet the needs of every learner and enable all students to reach their full potential.
Sarah KlevanNatalie SpitzerLaura E. HernándezCassandra RubinsteinWalker Swain
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Los Angeles Unified School District successfully implemented its Community Schools Initiative through a robust support structure that centers inclusive environments enabled by restorative practices, project-based learning, and Linked Learning pathways. While all low-income schools in the district are recovering from pandemic-era lows, these schools are improving at substantially higher rates in achievement and attendance.
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California’s investment in universal prekindergarten has increased the capacity of local education agencies to expand the accessibility of transitional kindergarten across the state. Ongoing challenges center on staff recruitment and retaintion, meeting the developmental and behavioral needs of younger students, securing facility space, and sustaining funding.
Linda Darling-HammondJulie FitzMaría Virginia GianiMolly F. GordonMarjorie Wechsler
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Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.
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Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.
Linda Darling-HammondJulie FitzMaría Virginia GianiMolly F. GordonMarjorie Wechsler
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Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.
Susan Kemper PatrickChazz HigginbothamRyan SaundersTiffany S. TanSteve Wojcikiewicz
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Texas is navigating high teacher attrition and relying on uncertified teachers who can fill vacancies quickly. While the share of uncertified teachers tripled across the state between 2019–20 and 2024–25, some districts maintained high rates of certified teachers. This study sought to identify those districts and understand the local contexts that might encourage hiring and retention of certified teachers. These findings are especially relevant in the context of newly passed state legislation enabling a significant financial investment in retaining and recruiting credentialed teachers.
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American schools spend over $4 billion annually on physical security technologies like AI weapons detection and surveillance, yet evidence for their effectiveness is thin and some have caused student harm. Research consistently shows that safety is better achieved through trusting relationships, positive school climates, and mental health supports — not hardware.
Susan Kemper PatrickChazz HigginbothamRyan SaundersTiffany S. TanSteve Wojcikiewicz
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Texas is navigating high teacher attrition and relying on uncertified teachers who can fill vacancies quickly. While the share of uncertified teachers tripled across the state between 2019–20 and 2024–25, some districts maintained high rates of certified teachers. This study sought to identify those districts and understand the local contexts that might encourage hiring and retention of certified teachers. These findings are especially relevant in the context of newly passed state legislation enabling a significant financial investment in retaining and recruiting credentialed teachers.
