Research Reports

Must-Reads

The Friction of Scale: Lessons from Scaling Up Innovation in Three School Districts
A student explains the inspiration for his painting.
The Friction of Scale: Lessons from Scaling Up Innovation in Three School Districts
  • Research Reports    
Michael Berardino, Lydia Rainey, Bree Dusseault

What does it really take to scale systemwide innovation? This report examines whether and how districts can achieve deep change by scaling a single, districtwide “Bold Idea.” In the first phase of our Innovative School Systems Grant project, CRPE followed 11 districts that were piloting innovations designed to dramatically improve students’ learning experiences.

Latest Publications

The State of the American Student 2026: What Are States Doing to Help Students Recover and Prepare for the Future?
  • Research Reports    

The State of the American Student 2026: What Are States Doing to Help Students Recover and Prepare for the Future?

Chelsea Waite, Robin Lake
The Friction of Scale: Lessons from Scaling Up Innovation in Three School Districts
  • Research Reports    

The Friction of Scale: Lessons from Scaling Up Innovation in Three School Districts

Michael Berardino, Lydia Rainey, Bree Dusseault

What does it really take to scale systemwide innovation? This report examines whether and how districts can achieve deep change by scaling a single, districtwide “Bold Idea.” In the first phase of our Innovative School Systems Grant project, CRPE followed 11 districts that were piloting innovations designed to dramatically improve students’ learning experiences.

Phoenix Rising: Bold Ideas for States to Transform Public Education
  • Research Reports    

Phoenix Rising: Bold Ideas for States to Transform Public Education

Rebecca E. Wolfe, Robin Lake

This synthesis of the Phoenix Rising series presents a provocative yet pragmatic set of ideas to unlock large-scale renewal and principled innovation within public education.

From Vision to Practice: How District Leaders Would Improve Civic Learning
  • Research Reports    

From Vision to Practice: How District Leaders Would Improve Civic Learning

Lisa Chu, Lydia Rainey, AK Keskin

As the 2026 midterms approach, the public and policymakers are asking whether schools are truly preparing students to participate in civic life.

Research Reports

Our studies span governance, systems, and practice in public education. Through our reports we help make sense of complex trends and data, communicate new possibilities for system change, and provide guidance and thought leadership to support that change.

Publications
Focus Areas

Independent peer review is an integral part of all CRPE research projects. Peer reviews are conducted by research or policy professionals who are not members of the CRPE project team. Some externally published work, such as commissioned papers, books and book chapters, journal articles, and op eds, may be hosted on other sites, and some may require purchase or subscriptions to view.

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