Abby Schachner is a Senior Researcher at the Learning Policy Institute. She co-leads LPI’s Early Childhood Learning team and is a member of the Whole Child Education team, where she is working to translate research on social, emotional, and academic development and the contexts that support such development to inform policy and practice. 

Schachner has more than 15 years of experience in conducting research on learning and development to better understand what works for whom and under what circumstances so that all children can succeed. Prior to joining LPI, she led educational efficacy research on digital programs and initiatives at Age of Learning. Previously, she was a principal education researcher at SRI International’s Center for Learning and Development, where she led research and technical assistance projects at the state and federal levels focused on social and emotional interventions, special education, home visiting, and using data for program improvement. 

Schachner holds a PhD in Human Development from the University of California, Davis and a BA in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Women’s and Gender Studies from Georgetown University.