Addressing the Gap between Education Research and Practice: The Need for State Education Capacity Centers

Overview & Synopsis

This issue brief attempts to address the research-practice gap in the education space. First, it describes some challenges in applying research to educational practice. It then outlines research-practice partnerships (RPPs)--mutually beneficial collaborations between research scientists and education leaders that can narrow the gap between research and practice. RPPs have proven to be useful in helping leaders improve student outcomes. State education capacity centers would expand these partnerships, as well as direct more government funding beyond the private sector--to instead support RPPs--to serve a larger public good. Finally, the brief proposes the creation of state-level education capacity centers, which would help leaders in state and local education departments use research to inform practice. Education capacity centers would bridge the divide by matching researchers and education leaders; supporting collaborative projects around problems or practice; and engaging practitioners across a given state on the implications of the findings for their districts.