Center for Education Policy Research

Center for Education Policy Research. The Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) is a research institute based at the Harvard Graduate School of Education within Harvard University. Founded in 2005, it is dedicated to transforming education policy and practice through rigorous, evidence-based research conducted in partnership with school districts, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Its work focuses on using large-scale data and randomized trials to answer pressing questions about educational effectiveness, equity, and improvement.

Overview

The center was established to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical needs of education policy makers and practitioners. Operating from its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, CEPR collaborates extensively with a national network of partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation. Its mission centers on conducting high-quality, actionable research that directly informs decisions at the district, state, and federal levels. The organization is a prominent example of a university-based policy center aiming to leverage data for systemic change in K–12 education across the United States.

Research focus and methodology

CEPR’s research is characterized by its emphasis on causal inference and large-scale quantitative analysis. A cornerstone of its methodology is the design and implementation of randomized controlled trials within real-world educational settings. Key research areas include educator effectiveness, the impact of charter schools, college access and success, and the efficacy of instructional technology and curriculum. The center often utilizes longitudinal administrative data from partner districts and states, applying advanced statistical techniques to isolate the effects of specific policies or programs. This approach is exemplified in its work on the Measures of Effective Teaching project and studies of Advanced Placement incentives.

Key projects and findings

Among its most influential initiatives is the **Strategic Data Project**, which embeds data analysts in school districts and state agencies to improve data-driven decision-making. The **National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice** investigates issues of school choice and segregation. A landmark study, the **Boston Charter School Research Project**, provided rigorous evidence on the significant positive effects of charter schools in Boston on student achievement. Another major effort, the **National Student Support Accelerator**, researches the implementation and impact of high-dosage tutoring programs nationwide. Findings from these projects have been published in journals like the American Economic Review and influenced debates on accountability and equity.

Impact and policy influence

The center’s research has directly shaped education policy and practice at multiple levels. Its findings on teacher evaluation systems informed the design of federal initiatives like the Race to the Top program under the U.S. Department of Education. Work on college advising has impacted state policies in places like Georgia and Delaware. CEPR’s evidence on tutoring informed federal pandemic recovery spending guidelines under the American Rescue Plan Act. The center regularly briefs policymakers, including testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and its tools and frameworks are used by hundreds of districts through partnerships with organizations like the Council of the Great City Schools.

Organizational structure and leadership

CEPR is led by faculty director Thomas J. Kane, an economist and professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The center operates with a staff of researchers, data scientists, and project managers, and it collaborates closely with faculty from across Harvard University, including the Harvard Kennedy School and the Department of Economics. It is structured around several distinct research initiatives and labs, each with dedicated funding and leadership. Governance involves an advisory board comprising leaders from academia, philanthropy, and former school system leaders like John Deasy. Financial support comes from a mix of foundation grants, federal awards, and contracts with school districts.

Category:Harvard University Category:Education policy organizations Category:Research institutes in Massachusetts