Reports

The Transformative Potential of Learner-Centered Education

BY Khara Schonfeld, Ph.D.
February 10, 2026

The Transformative Potential of Learner-Centered Education synthesizes findings from 93 studies across 22 bodies of research to explore the evidence of impact when young people are at the center of their learning journey.

Drawing on research from neuroscience, cognitive science, community development, organizational psychology, and more, Dr. Khara Schonfeld analyzes evidence aligned with five core elements of learner-centered education. The findings reveal clear, research-based links between learner-centered environments and outcomes such as increased learner agency, stronger equity, and long-term success.

We designed these resources to be practical tools for your work:

  • The Executive Summary: Quickly brief your board, partners, or prospective families on the “why” behind your learner-centered approach.
  • The Full Report: Leverage this to strengthen grant applications or policy proposals with rigorous, synthesized data.
  • The Literature Guide: Use this as an “evidence-mining” tool to pull specific peer-reviewed research for your own website, newsletters, or handbooks.

Download the Executive Summary here.

Download the Full Report here.

Download the Literature Guide here.

Khara Schonfeld, Ph.D.

Partner of Research, Education Reimagined

Khara is Education Reimagined’s Partner of Research. She has taught K–12 students for over a decade in the US and internationally, taught teacher education courses and led programs at the university level, and researched alternative learning approaches, including unschooling. She holds a PhD in Teacher Education & Professional Development and an MEd in Art Education.