Tara Kini serves as the Chief of Staff and Director of State Policy for the Learning Policy Institute, where she works nationally to bring high-quality research to policymakers and other stakeholders to advance evidence-based policies that support empowering and equitable learning for each and every child. She has co-authored several LPI research reports, including serving as lead author of a comprehensive analysis of the impact of experience on teacher effectiveness, Does Teaching Experience Increase Teacher Effectiveness? A Review of the Research. 

Kini has more than 2 decades of experience working in public education as a civil rights attorney, classroom teacher, and teacher educator. Previously, she was a senior staff attorney with Public Advocates, where she represented community-based organizations, students, and parents in education impact litigation. Kini taught English and history for 6 years in Bay Area public schools and served as a faculty supervisor with University of California, Berkeley’s teacher education program. She is a member of the State Bar of California.

Kini received a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and a M.A. and teaching credential from Stanford University, where she also received her B.A.