education program areas
Teaching quality
SRI Education studies what makes teaching effective and how policies can ensure students have equitable access to high-quality teaching.
We have led more than a dozen rigorous, large-scale, randomized controlled trials of teacher coaching and professional development programs. Our work focuses on teacher preparation, educator professional development and human capital management systems.
Recent work
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Progress and Potential: School System Approaches to Strengthening Literacy Instruction
Discover SRI Education’s study in partnership with Schusterman Family Philanthropies examining K–5 literacy instruction, implementation of district-adopted literacy curriculum, professional learning supports, and student learning outcomes in Aldine Independent School District, Baltimore City Public Schools, Guilford County Schools, and Richmond Public Schools.
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Evaluation of the Pathway to Academic Success Project
SRI studied the effectiveness of a promising program focused on secondary students’ academic English skills.
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Podcast: Re-imagining instructional quality and coaching
SRI’s Krystal Thomas discusses efforts to create supportive, equitable, and effective tools for educators.
Our experts in teaching quality
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Ela Joshi
Senior Education Researcher, SRI Education
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Mary M. Klute
Principal Education Researcher, SRI Education
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Candice Benge Steele
Education Researcher, SRI Education
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Sara Rutherford-Quach
Principal Education Researcher, SRI Education
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Lauren J. Cassidy
Principal Researcher, SRI Education
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Haiwen Wang
Senior Principal Education Researcher and Evaluation Methods Lead
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Katrina Woodworth
Director, Center for Education Research and Improvement, SRI Education
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Michelle W. Woodbridge
Exec. Director & Sr. Principal Researcher, Center for Learning & Development, SRI Education
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Erika Gaylor
Principal Senior Researcher and Early Childhood Program Leader, SRI Education
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Rebecca A. Schmidt
Senior Education Researcher, Data Services, SRI Education
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Katrina Laguarda
Senior Researcher, SRI Education
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Maddie Cincebeaux
Research Associate, SRI Education
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Louise Yarnall
Senior Research Social Scientist, SRI Education
Recent reports and publications
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Progress and Potential: School System Approaches to Strengthening Literacy Instruction
Abstract In 2024, Schusterman commissioned SRI to conduct an independent study of four districts receiving support from Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies (Schusterman) to build upon and improve their literacy programs. The study examines Schusterman’s theory that strengthening and aligning district and school supports, providing focused professional learning, and increasing the consistent and skillful…
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Beyond the Surface: Leveraging High-Quality Instructional Materials for Robust Reading Comprehension
Abstract Inspired by the increased national attention on literacy, more districts are implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to support students’ reading comprehension. In implementing comprehension HQIM, a critical distinction is whether instruction facilitates the development of students’ surface-level or robust comprehension. This brief examines the extent to which teachers in districts using comprehension HQIM implemented…
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California Arts Education Landscape 2025
Abstract Commissioned by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and conducted in collaboration with Education First, this report examines how new funding and policy shifts—especially the 2022 Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Act—are reshaping arts education in California. Drawing on a document review, interviews, and a convening of Hewlett grantees, the report identifies seven…