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Findings from the science of learning and development contain powerful lessons for improving education to help every student access opportunities and reach their full potential.

The COVID-19 crisis upended schools and widened gaping inequities within the American education system, but research shows how to move forward and create safe learning environments that help students thrive.

Many states, districts, and schools are seeking to expand instruction to support higher-order thinking skills and are developing authentic performance assessments that measure student mastery on a deeper level.

Effective school design can support the whole child by providing high-quality academic learning, promoting strong interpersonal relationships, and offering authentic and culturally sustaining instruction.

Schools need diverse, well-prepared educators. A high-quality educator workforce requires investments in teacher preparation and learning, policies to increase recruitment and retention, and strategies to sustain educator capacity to create and innovate.

Community schools are an evidence-based strategy to advance equity and reduce barriers to learning by providing the services needed to support student and family well-being.

Teacher turnover and shortages hurt student outcomes and well-being. Research identifies a number of evidence-based strategies to recruit and retain a diverse, high-quality teacher workforce.

Teachers who receive thorough preparation and are supported with high-quality professional learning opportunities throughout their careers are better equipped to meet the needs of all their students.

Students need to develop social, emotional, and academic competencies to succeed in life. School programs that foster social and emotional learning are associated with positive outcomes for attitudes, achievement, and educational attainment.

Evidence shows that adequate and equitable financing of public schools improves a range of outcomes for all students, yet disparities in school funding shortchange many children in the United States.