What is the impact of early childhood education on children's development and well-being? In this chapter, Jade Jenkins and Anamarie A. Whitaker examine the evidence on the effects of early childhood education. Learn more: livehandbook.org/early-educat...

AI tools are evolving rapidly, and schools are adopting them faster than researchers can evaluate them. In a new chapter, Cristina Barnard, Lily Fesler, and Susanna Loeb examine what we know about AI's role in K–12 schools and its effects. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Higher education is often viewed as a valuable investment, but returns vary across students and pathways. In a new chapter, Douglas A. Webber and Celeste K. Carruthers examine the evidence on the returns to four-year higher education. Learn more: livehandbook.org/higher-educa...

Ability grouping and tracking practices aim to help schools meet students’ diverse needs and interests. In a new AEFP Live Handbook chapter, Thurston Domina examines the evidence on ability grouping. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Educational decisions are only as strong as the measures that inform them. In this chapter, Jonathan Schweig, Susha Roy, and Lauren Covelli examine validity and reliability in educational measurement. Read more: livehandbook.org/validity-rel...

Superintendents play a critical role in shaping school systems, but their work — and pathways into leadership — vary dramatically across contexts. In her chapter, @drrachelswhite.bsky.social reviews what research says about superintendents. Read more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps students develop the skills needed to manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. In a new chapter, Sophie P. Barnes, Michael McCarthy, and Christina Cipriano examine SEL. Learn more: livehandbook.org/social-and-e...

Portfolio Management Models (PMMs) shift districts from directly operating schools to overseeing autonomous providers. In this chapter, Katrina E. Bulkley explores how PMM reforms shape student outcomes and public education systems. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Students enter classrooms with different levels of prior knowledge and learning pace. Tutoring can address unfinished learning. In a new chapter, Susanna Loeb and Carly D. Robinson examine what makes tutoring effective and how to implement it. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Curriculum policy isn’t just about what students learn—it also shapes how states, districts, and schools select and use materials to guide teaching. David Steiner explores curriculum policy and how it shapes student learning and teaching. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

The Live Handbook is continually evolving. Thanks to contributions from our authors, new chapters covering topics like international students in higher education and test-based grade retention in K–12 are now live. Learn more: livehandbook.org

Teachers’ unions shape school district policy, spending, teacher pay, and turnover—but what does the research say about their impact on student outcomes? Bradley D. Marianno explores the evidence. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

SECs are the skills and mindsets students need to succeed in school and beyond. But how do we measure them? In a new chapter, James "Jim" Soland and Laura S. Hamilton explore SECs and their role in research, evaluation and school improvement. Learn more: livehandbook.org/using-social...

International students have a long history in the United States, and today, around 1 million are enrolled in higher ed institutions across the country. In a new chapter, Kevin Shih examines international student enrollment in higher ed. Learn more: livehandbook.org/higher-educa...

Test-based grade retention policies are used in many states to determine whether students advance based on academic performance. In a new chapter, Umut Özek examines what the evidence shows about their effects on student outcomes over time. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Academic freedom is a core value of higher ed—the liberty to teach, research & publish without censorship or retaliation. In a new chapter, Patrick Wolf, Alex Wolf & Nathan Honeycutt explore its importance and recent developments. Learn more: livehandbook.org/higher-educa...

Housing and education are closely connected. In her chapter, Sarah A. Cordes examines how factors such as housing quality, stability, and neighborhood location shape students’ educational opportunities and outcomes:https://livehandbook.org/k-12-education/aspects-of-choice/housing/

The workforce of early childhood education (ECE) is fundamental to ensure that the needs of young children and their families are met. Read Anna Markowitz and @dbassok.bsky.social chapter on ECE Workforce to learn more about the role of early educators: livehandbook.org/early-educat...

Learn more about higher education finance in Lindsay Leasor and Kevin Stange’s chapter on expenditures and costs: livehandbook.org/higher-educa...

Read Laura Rogers (@laurarogers.bsky.social) and Brendan Bartanen's chapter on The Importance of Administrators and Leaders to understand why school leaders matter and their impact on school climate and student outcomes. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Learn more about the difference between posted and net tuition and how it impacts students in Emily Cook and Sarah Turner's chapter on College Pricing in the U.S.: lnkd.in/gn-Hciw6

We are so excited about this mention! Read Fordham Institute's piece on the Live Handbook to learn more about our work. fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...

Value-added models (VAMs), also referred to as growth models, are used in education research and policy to estimate the impacts of districts, schools, and teachers on student outcomes. Read Cory Koedel's chapter to learn more about this topic: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Grant aid can shape incentives for college enrollment and completion. Read more about different types of grants and their effects on college enrollment and student success in Oded Gurantz’s (@odedgurantz.bsky.social) chapter: livehandbook.org/higher-educa...

Grades are central to modern schooling, but grading remains a major target for reform. Grading policies continue to raise concerns about grade inflation and racial or gender-based bias. Learn more in Ethan Hutt’s (@ehutt.bsky.social) chapter: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Early education programs improve children’s readiness for kindergarten. Learn more about the elements that ensure high-quality ECE in Christina Weiland (@weilanch.bsky.social) and Paola Guerrero Rosada's (@paolaguerreror.bsky.social) chapter, Quality in ECE: livehandbook.org/early-educat...

Transportation plays a key role in how families experience school choice. Learn more in Sarah W. Lenhoff (@sarahlenhoff.bsky.social) and Samuel Speroni’s chapter on transportation in school choice systems: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

School boards are a key site of educational policymaking. Learn more about the role of school boards and the debates surrounding them in James Bridgeforth and Rachel White's (@drrachelswhite.bsky.social) AEFP Live Handbook chapter: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Rural schools are deeply embedded in their communities, serving as more than just educational institutions—they are hubs of social, cultural, and economic life. Learn more about education in rural areas in Sheneka Williams and Summer Hopper's Live Handbook chapter: livehandbook.org/miscellaneou...

Attracting and retaining effective educators is one of the most effective ways for school leaders to deliver high-quality education. Learn how compensation shapes teacher experience & performance in Barbara Biasi's (@barbarabiasi.com) chapter: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Learn more about the early childhood education landscape. In their chapter, Taryn Morrissey (@twmorrissey.bsky.social) and Jessica H. Rendon explore the fragmented nature of early care and education. Learn more: livehandbook.org/early-educat...

Teachers are central to the operation of schools. Recent evidence shows the teaching profession has become less desirable, fueling widespread concerns about teacher shortages. Read more about teacher supply and turnover in Paul Bruno's (@paul-bruno.com) AEFP Live Handbook chapter: lnkd.in/gM3anNk5

As the Fall semester kicks off, learn more about FAFSA and administrative burdens and how they may hinder student success in @mikekofoed.bsky.social's AEFP Live Handbook chapter: livehandbook.org/fafsa-simpli....

As private school choice programs expand nationwide, Patrick Wolf and Ron Zimmer examine Vouchers and Education Savings Accounts in their AEFP Live Handbook chapter. Learn more: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...

Learn more about the broader benefits of early childhood care and education (ECE) programs. @chloergibbs.bsky.social explores how ECE fosters children’s development while supporting parents and families. Read the chapter: livehandbook.org/early-educat...