The Center for Education Policy Research Announces Inaugural Cohort of States Leading States Initiative

Amid shifting federal priorities and continued declines in student achievement over the past decade, the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University today announced the inaugural cohort of the States Leading States (SLS) initiative: Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas. Together, these states are taking bold action to answer a vital question: Which education policies truly deliver better outcomes for students, and how can we share those lessons nationwide?

“The country desperately needs state leadership. Our role will be to help states learn which of their policies are making a difference for children, and then encouraging others to follow," said Professor Tom Kane, faculty director of CEPR. "With this inaugural SLS cohort, we are going to learn quickly and share what works and what does not."

“At a time when too many students are not reading at grade level or able to do basic math and the gaps between highest and lowest performing students are growing, we need to make student achievement a priority again and develop evidence-based strategies that help all students succeed,” noted Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and current president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center. “That’s why I’m pleased to see states coming together alongside the Center for Education Policy Research to take this challenge head on and launch States Leading States. Rigorous nonpartisan research and collaboration among states can have a tremendous impact on the development of new interventions and approaches that get results for students.”  

“States are at the forefront of finding solutions to our most pressing education challenges, but too often, we do not have a clear picture of what is actually making a difference for students," said Christina Grant, executive director of CEPR. "Our goal is to work side by side with state leaders to rigorously evaluate promising ideas and make those lessons rapidly accessible to policymakers and practitioners across the country."

“When states pool their knowledge and work with trusted research partners to improve student outcomes, everyone benefits,” said John B. King Jr., former U.S. secretary of education and chancellor of the State University of New York. “States Leading States sets a powerful example for the country by fostering research and collaboration that can help schools everywhere give students the best chance to succeed.”

Examples of SLS State Work 

Indiana is piloting an outcomes-based approach for improving middle school literacy, holding service providers accountable for student progress. “In Indiana, we’ve seen student outcomes improve for nearly every single data point, yet we have not been able to move the needle for some of our secondary students who continue to struggle with reading,” said Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education. “We are continuing to keep our foot on the gas pedal across the board in areas where we are seeing success, and also, in areas where we are not moving as quickly. As we pilot an outcomes-based contracting model for adolescent literacy, our partnership with SLS will help us to better understand our return on investment, and ultimately, improve together for students.”

Ohio is preparing to implement a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban. “Our team is excited to contribute to, and learn from, the inaugural cohort of the States Leading States initiative, including our extensive work to elevate classroom engagement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and remove distractions to learning through a statewide cell phone ban among students during instructional hours,” explained Stephen Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. “We’re eager to be a national leader in this effort and spearhead the next phase of collaboration among states to advance achievement and prepare students for success.”

Illinois and Delaware are testing alternative cellphone policies to see what best supports learning and climate. Tony Sanders, Illinois state superintendent of education expressed: “Illinois is proud to join this national collaboration to spotlight and share evidence-based policies that help students succeed. By learning from diverse state partners and sharing what works, we can accelerate the spread of effective strategies, adapt to new challenges, and lead the way in creating lasting change for students here in Illinois and across the country.”

“Delaware is focused on strategies that strengthen teaching and learning, support educators, and improve student outcomes. States Leading States provides the opportunity to learn from other states, apply evidence, and scale proven solutions that deliver results," explained Cindy Marten, Delaware secretary of Education.

Alabama is requiring every district to offer summer reading and math camps for struggling students. “Alabama’s students deserve every opportunity to build a solid foundation for the future,” stated Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama state superintendent of education. “By participating in States Leading States, we are sharing our own successes and learning from other innovative states, helping us equip every student for lifelong success.”  

Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, and Rhode Island are taking on challenges such as boosting access to career credentials, improving literacy and coaching, implementing high-quality curricula, and addressing chronic absenteeism. “Innovation moves the needle for student success. Tennessee is committed to transforming the high school experience by ensuring that all students have access to high-quality postsecondary opportunities that promote strong academic, military, and workforce readiness,” emphasized Lizzette Reynolds, Tennessee commissioner of education.

"Colorado is committed to continuous improvement and using strong evidence-based approaches to close learning gaps for every student,” noted Susana Córdova, Colorado commissioner of education. “Through SLS, we're able to share our innovations and learn from other states to improve student outcomes across the nation. "

"We have an urgent responsibility to act for our students now. By collaborating through States Leading States, we're committed to trying new ideas, measuring their impact, and sharing what works," affirmed Angélica Infante-Green, commissioner of elementary and secondary education for Rhode Island.

A Core Commitment to Learning and Sharing 

SLS is committed not just to rigorous evaluation, but to empowering state agencies to conduct and use data analysis for continuous improvement. Each state will host a Strategic Data Project Fellow to help organize data, analyze implementation, and build a community of researchers sharing insights across state lines.

"As we build a community focused on learning and sharing, our goal is to ensure that lessons from these nine states do not stay within state borders," said Scott Sargrad, senior director of States Leading States. "We are committed to getting actionable information into the hands of education leaders everywhere, so that every state can make better decisions that benefit students."

SLS will publish rigorous research reports and practical policy solutions, sharing what works and what does not, so all states can learn, adapt, and make faster progress for students everywhere.

Read more about the States Leading States initiative in the Harvard Gazette.