For too long, education has been stuck in an outdated, industrial model that fails to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of today’s learners. While pockets of learner-centered innovation exist across the country, scaling and sustaining these transformative approaches requires something more systematic: robust state research and development (R&D) conditions and infrastructure that can help identify, develop, and spread what works.
Just as R&D is core to other sectors’ innovation strategies, it has the power to accelerate the learner-centered movement by creating space for invention, while providing evidence, tools, and insights for reimagining education around the unique needs, interests, and potential of each young person. As states identify ways to drive meaningful transformation, a strategic approach to education R&D could tackle states’ pressing challenges and enable more systemic change.
Our co-authored brief, in partnership with the Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI), Seizing the Opportunity for State Education R&D: Findings and Recommendations for Action, details how states can establish systems that prioritize education R&D and put learners and communities at the center. During our interviews for this research, we heard from education stakeholders that they care about tackling pressing challenges, while enabling learning experiences that are engaging, relevant, personalized, and deeply connected to the unique needs of learners and their communities. This isn’t just about tweaking the current system. It’s about moving towards an education paradigm that prioritizes innovation and system-wide feedback loops that prompt continuous improvements from policy to practice. To enable this, states need to create the conditions and infrastructure for education R&D.
When states commit to education R&D, learners, leaders, and practitioners benefit in concrete ways:
- Learning environments become more responsive to learner needs, interests, and goals;
- Communities gain more voice in shaping educational approaches;
- Educators have more freedom to innovate and adapt; and
- Evidence about what works comes from real experiences in real learning environments and informs state policy that can help scale and spread these approaches.
Education R&D isn’t out of reach; it is in learning environments where young people and adults are already showing us what’s possible when we trust their wisdom, support their innovation, and commit to continuous improvement in service of each young person’s unique journey.
Sarah Bishop-Root & Leslie colwell
The report’s recommendations highlight that robust data systems, accessible research findings, innovation networks of practitioners and researchers, and technical support are all foundational to education R&D, but it also makes clear that education R&D isn’t just about establishing infrastructure. Fundamental mindset and culture shifts across systems are also needed to establish the conditions for R&D, such as:
- Embracing calculated risks and learning from failure;
- Trusting communities to lead innovation efforts;
- Valuing diverse forms of evidence and expertise; and
- Putting learners’ experiences at the center of decision-making and a state’s vision for innovation.
The benefits of enabling R&D can be seen in learning environments across the country, such as at the King-Murphy Mountain School in Colorado. Scott Bain, a learner-centered leader and the school’s Principal, shared in his context how prioritizing these conditions has made a positive difference for his community: “Our emphasis has been on creating a sense of belonging, respecting students for their individual strengths and passions, and increasing student agency and autonomy. Simultaneously, we are treating educators as professionals and honoring their voices in shaping the school we envision. Together, these efforts have improved our school’s sense of community, culture, and engagement.” As a result, the King-Murphy Mountain School saw dramatic improvements in both learner and adult experiences, as well as in the schools’ state accountability measures. If these conditions are enabled across systems, in addition to R&D infrastructure, imagine the possibilities for state education systems and their stakeholders.
Education R&D isn’t out of reach, it is in learning environments where young people and adults are already showing us what’s possible when we trust their wisdom, support their innovation, and commit to continuous improvement in service of each young person’s unique journey.Read the full brief or executive summary to learn about our actionable recommendations for states.
