About the Handbook

The purpose of the handbook is to provide comprehensive, rigorous, objective, and useful reviews of research.

By comprehensive, we mean that the chapters will be broad-based and consider all the most relevant research, across methods and disciplines, that speaks directly to the respective policies.

By rigorous, we mean that the chapters will recognize that some studies are more convincing than others and weigh them accordingly.

By objective, we mean that the chapters will consider a variety of perspectives and show the connection between the outcomes that researchers study and various educational values they embody; and convey the level of confidence we have in the conclusions reached.

By useful, we mean that the sections, while being faithful to scientific principles, will be intended for a broad audience, including policymakers and journalists, and be up to date with the latest research.

We envision that the handbook sections will eventually become the most widely read and cited articles on their respective topics. They will be among the first items that come up with people search for “research” with keywords aligning to education policy topics.

The Live Handbook will encapsulate essential elements of the education landscape, presenting a synthesis of the most rigorous research available across various disciplines and methodologies. Authored by some of the nation’s most esteemed education researchers, the handbook will undergo a thorough review process involving a Board of Policymakers and Practitioners. This collaborative approach will foster new partnerships between researchers and practitioners, ensuring that the insights and findings are effectively communicated and easily accessible to policymakers.

What sets the live handbook apart is its commitment to evolving with the research landscape. Chapters will be regularly updated, providing a comprehensive, objective, and timely source of information for researchers, policymakers, and journalists alike. This initiative aspires to be the definitive resource for understanding the current state of education policy research.