The science of reading is one of the most wildly successful examples of how decades of federally funded research and development鈥攊n this case, about how kids learn to read 鈥 fueled major initiatives across virtually every district in the country to reimagine curriculum and drive improvement.
More than 40 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation or implemented new policies to improve reading instruction, put the power of data collection on display, and super-charge improvements, including in Mississippi, which suffered for decades from poor literacy rates.
Just like in every other sector of American life鈥攂e it medicine, defense, or farming鈥攔esearch and development is vital for ensuring the federal government and states are equipping districts for success by identifying what works for students, families, and the communities they serve.
The science of reading movement wouldn鈥檛 have taken hold without sustained R&D, which generated the empirical evidence needed to challenge long-standing assumptions about how children learn to read. It provided the rigorous studies, data, and replicable methods that gave educators and policymakers the confidence to shift instruction toward practices proven to work.
Right now, our educators need new ways of teaching and our students need new ways of learning鈥攁 type of reimagining instruction that can only come from rigorous R&D coupled with sustained investments.
Way behind on research and development
Today, reduced federal funding and a focus on shrinking the role of the Department of Education has significantly limited the agency鈥檚 critical need and capacity for R&D鈥攁 vacuum for sure, but one that creates an important opportunity for states and districts to support the crucial education R&D that is mission-critical to maintaining a competitive edge in a world of rapid technological change.
Given the increasingly technical environment鈥攊ncluding the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into K-12 classrooms鈥攑rioritizing accelerated, agile and actionable R&D in education is the best way for us to ensure success for our students, and ultimately our economy. Bringing this work directly into districts and classrooms will increase the pace at which we can effectively implement AI.
In this moment of strapped resources, knowledge mobilization鈥攖he process of making research and knowledge useful and accessible to those who can apply it in real-world settings, like policymakers and practitioners鈥攃an be a game-changer.
We should take great care to ensure that research is happening collaboratively not only among higher education labs and policy organizations, but also with districts, schools, and teachers, ensuring that knowledge mobilization remains practical.
We can also capitalize on long-standing capacity challenges at the state and district level. Creating opportunities for leaders and educators to engage in R&D to drive continuous improvement of teaching and learning sets them up for greater success. Districts should employ chief research officers whose sole job is identifying promising practices.
Let students plot their own courses
The good news is that states and districts are now better equipped to use evidence-based practices and demonstrate the value of R&D.
Alabama passed legislation in 2022 that shifted math instruction toward hands-on, evidence-based methods to improve foundation skills. The approach uses manipulations such as base-10 blocks and fraction tiles to help students visualize and understand math concepts.
As it stands, Alabama is the only state where 4th-grade math scores are higher than they were before the pandemic.
R&D has also been foundational to expanding access to cybersecurity career pathways in high schools across seven districts in the northeastern part of the state鈥攁 unique, rural scale-up that leverages over 20 industry, community and postsecondary partners to help students earn industry-recognized credentials.
The effort allows students to participate in internships, learn from mentors, and transition directly into postsecondary and workforce cyber opportunities.
In North Dakota, school districts are experimenting with reimagining time by adopting competency-based learning and flexible scheduling. In a pivot away from seat-time models, school districts like Northern Cass and Fargo are implementing 鈥渇lex periods鈥 and 鈥渇lex days鈥 that allow students to manage their own learning time with support.
The ultimate goal is to let students plot their own academic courses and progress by demonstrating proficiency rather than age.
Several school districts are implementing strategies to address chronic absenteeism, including Steubenville, Ohio, which is attempting to understand and address root causes and provide family support.
This approach shifts from punitive measures to a more supportive system that addresses barriers like transportation and health issues, and emphasizes early intervention for students who are struggling with attendance.
Unlocking local R&D
The important part of all these examples is that none of them would have been possible without federal and state support鈥攎aking available data, research, evidence and funding that equip districts and school leaders with the insights necessary to make the right decisions. Federal and state partners play a crucial role in maintaining a competitive edge and accelerating local-led R&D.
We must ensure that our students are prepared to thrive in this fast-moving and changing future. And to do that, we must unlock local capacity to research, build, innovate and implement by creating an environment that gives them access to data and design solutions in real time so they can uncover what works, for whom and under which conditions.
Only then will we be able to achieve a competitive advantage.
The image above was created with AI.聽
