Our Research

Our independent research explores a variety of cutting-edge issues facing public education to guide discussion and decision-making around education policy and practice.

Elevating Real-World Learning: Two Cities' Efforts to Credential Real World Skills through Digital Badges

January 2020

In Boston and Providence, after-school program leaders have been working to formally recognize students’ real-world skills through an innovative credential called a digital badge. This report shares successes and lessons learned from this effort, providing guidance for organizations exploring opportunities to support and acknowledge students’ non-academic skills.

Building a Culture of Deeper Learning at the Donald McKay K-8 School

November 2019

This case study documents the transformation of the Donald McKay K-8 School in East Boston, winner of EdVestors' 2018 School on the Move Prize, into a school community where students and teachers have the freedom to be creative, to learn by doing, and to experiment with new methods of learning that are relevant to students’ daily lives.

Early College Blueprint: A Guide to Getting Started with Early College in Massachusetts

September 2019

This hands-on guide is meant to help high school and college partners design and implement effective Early College programs. It explores research-based best practices and lessons learned from Early College programs across the state and nation.

Building Local: Lessons from Massachusetts Communities on Reengaging Opportunity Youth

July 2019

In the United States, one in nine young people is neither in school nor working. That’s 4.5 million Americans between the ages of 16 and 24. This population, known as Opportunity Youth (OY), is disconnected in a way that can lead to lower lifetime earnings and a higher likelihood of social isolation.

Empowering Young Professionals: How real-world learning at a Boston high school bridges the transition to college and the workforce

June 2019

The winner of the 2018 Pozen Prize for Innovative Schools— the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (EMK) in Boston— seeks to empower underrepresented students to succeed in college and high-wage careers. This case study highlights the key practices that have facilitated the EMK’s success,

Building the Next Generation of Latino Leaders

June 2019

In honor of Sociedad Latina’s 50th Anniversary, we teamed up with the organization to put together a research brief that looks at how they support positive development for Boston’s Latino youth.

A Supportive School for Every Student: How MA Districts are Bringing Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Supports to Schools and Classrooms

June 2019

This report looks at how 70 schools in Boston are supporting students through the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model. In addition to exploring the launch, school-based implementation, and scaling of this model, the report examines promising practices in other Massachusetts districts focusing on behavioral health.

Career Pathways for Boston's Opportunity Youth

May 2019

Our latest report takes an in-depth look at what career pathways exist for Opportunity Youth (OY) by going straight to the source. We held a series of focus groups with Boston youth to gain insight into the educational experiences and career opportunities available across the city.

Expanding the Boundaries of Education: Two Cities' Efforts to Credential Real-World Skills Through Digital Badges

February 2019

In Boston and Providence, youth serving organizations recognized a need to credential students' real-world skills including teamwork, perseverance and critical thinking. By issuing digital badges, a microcredential gaining traction in both workforce development and education, programs are equipping students with portable evidence of their skills.

2019 Condition of Education in the Commonwealth

January 2019

This annual status report looks at 25 state-level indicators of school performance to illuminate areas of success and areas for continued improvement across the education pipeline. This year's report examines the role students play in shaping our education system.

Unpacking the Impact of the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling

December 18, 2024

In June 2023, the Supreme Court struck down race-based affirmative action practices in higher education, fundamentally altering the landscape of college admissions nationwide. Now, as colleges and universities share data on their first-year student enrollment, we can begin to unpack the real-world impact of this Supreme Court decision. This blog post examines what led to this moment, what the data from schools in Massachusetts and across the nation tells us, and what steps lie ahead for creating equitable pathways to higher education.