Education R&D is applied research and development in real-world education environments focused on developing, testing, and evaluating innovative solutions—tools, products, features, or systems—to our nation’s most pressing education problems.
Across the country there are clear signals that it’s time to move education beyond a one-size-fits-all approach: a learner and educator engagement crisis, stagnant or declining academic outcomes, and rapidly evolving workforce demands. States have the opportunity to drive transformation by building robust education research and development (R&D) systems that empower local communities to improve experiences and outcomes for every young person. When communities innovate and leverage evidence-based solutions for learners, and R&D is embedded in strategy, policy, and funding, states can meet their biggest challenges.
This interactive playbook builds on comprehensive research and recommendations from Seizing the Opportunity for State Education R&D: Findings and Recommendations for Action and is informed by more than 100 stakeholders across the education sector and beyond. It is designed for four core audiences that play a unique role in advancing education innovation and strategic R&D in states: state leaders, local system leaders, policy influencers, and philanthropy.
There are two ways to navigate the Playbook:
- Navigate by role to find a curated set of action steps, state examples, and resources by each recommendation tailored to how you can advance education R&D.
- Navigate by recommendation to explore the eight core recommendations organized around two mechanisms: establishing conditions and building infrastructure.
No matter where you start, you’ll find:
- State Spotlights showing how states are putting the recommendations into practice, and Bright Spots aligned to each recommendation with links to promising initiatives.
- A Self-Assessment to help state leaders gauge current R&D strengths and opportunities in their context.
- Additional Resources to help jumpstart action in any state.
Explore by Role or Recommendation
Select your primary role or click on a recommendation to learn how you can advance state education R&D.
