What the Research Says

From the pages of Education Week: a roundup of recent education studies
Middle school girl student playing a hand game with her friend on a school bus.
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Student Well-Being & Movement What the Research Says Don't 86 the Six-Seven: Those Annoying Kid Trends Actually Have a Purpose
Children's culture can seem bizarre, but these fads can boost their social development.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 20, 2025
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5 min read
Vector illustration of a yellow pencil on a cyan blue background. Blowing in the wind is a red, tattered flag attached to the tip of the pencil.
iStock/Getty
Student Achievement What the Research Says Why Hasn't Tutoring Been More Effective?
Recent studies of tutoring programs show small or no effects. Why?
Sarah Schwartz, November 18, 2025
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6 min read
Illustration of people using revolving doors.
DigitalVision Vectors
Special Education What the Research Says Schools Have the Special Educators—But Keep Losing Them to General Ed.
A study across seven states finds educators for students with disabilities need more targeted support.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 13, 2025
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3 min read
Image of a small U.S. flag in a pencil case.
iStock/Getty
Teaching What the Research Says Teachers Value 'Patriotic' Education More Than Most Americans
Nearly two thirds of teachers favor presenting America as "fundamentally good."
Sarah D. Sparks, November 5, 2025
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4 min read
Educators participate in a hands-on breakout session during a professional development training on AI at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., on Sept. 23, 2025.
Educators participate in a hands-on breakout session during a professional development training on AI at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., on Sept. 23, 2025. Changing instructional practices haven't prompted districts to put more of their overall budget into ongoing teacher training, a new report concludes.
Kirsten Luce for Education Week
Budget & Finance What the Research Says Is Spending on Professional Development Keeping Pace?
A new tool helps leaders map and compare spending for teacher learning.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 30, 2025
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3 min read
Vector illustration of a large yellow pencil overlaying a glowing earth on a dark blue background. There is a diverse group of professionals holding one another up on their shoulders to try and keep the pencil upright.
iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says How U.S. Teachers' Job Satisfaction Stacks Up Against Their Global Peers'
The largest international survey of teachers provides new insights into teacher satisfaction.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 28, 2025
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4 min read
Waist-up view of early 30s teacher sitting with 11 year old Hispanic student at library round table and holding book as she pronounces the words.
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Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says These Maps Reveal Gaps in Special Education, English-Learner Teacher Supply
Long-term teacher shortages for these growing populations demand new solutions to rebuild pipelines.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 30, 2025
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3 min read
Collage illustration of a brain with gears, lightbulb, and dot patterns.
DigitalVision Vectors
Teaching What the Research Says The Top 5 Myths Elementary Teachers Believe About the Science of Learning
Most teachers worldwide still believe myths about learning decades after they have been debunked. Here are the most common.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 16, 2025
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4 min read
AI Skeptic 1244482154
iStock/Getty
Artificial Intelligence What the Research Says How AI Simulations Match Up to Real Students—and Why It Matters
New research suggests teachers should be cautious when using AI tools to personalize learning for students.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 10, 2025
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4 min read
Photo of calendar with push pins.
iStock
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says 4-Day School Weeks May Have Diminishing Returns for Teacher Recruitment
Leaders need to consider wider teacher pools when deciding whether to adopt four-day weeks.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 23, 2025
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4 min read
Illustration of computer pointing finger guiding hand using mouse.
Chris Whetzel for Education Week
Teaching Profession What the Research Says A Personal 'Nudge' Can Get Teachers to Use Student Data in Smart Ways
Teachers are key to effective ed-tech interventions. A new study looks at ways to engage them.
Sarah D. Sparks, June 16, 2025
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4 min read
Photograph of a person in jeans walking on a sidewalk and passing a yellow and black voting place sign in the grass.
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School Choice & Charters What the Research Says How School Choice Complicates District Bond Elections
Families who transfer children out of their residential districts may be less likely to vote in bond elections, researchers find.
Evie Blad, May 30, 2025
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3 min read
Third grader Parker, left, and a classmate at Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Kan., practice reading on April 12, 2023. After falling behind in the early days of the pandemic, Parker started this school year reading at the level of a first grader. He did months of phonics drills and small-group work, and made tremendous progress. "I actually do like reading now," Parker said.
Third grader Parker, left, and a classmate at Highland Elementary School in Columbus, Kan., practice reading on April 12, 2023. Parker started this school year reading at the level of a 1st grader, but caught up after months of phonics drills and small-group work. Kansas doesn't retain 3rd graders based on reading scores, but many states that do now provide similar supports to students at risk of repeating the grade.
Nicholas Ingram/AP
Reading & Literacy What the Research Says Is 3rd Grade Retention the Secret to Better Reading Outcomes—Or Something Else?
A new study suggests that the benefit to kids doesn’t actually come from having them repeat a grade.
Sarah Schwartz, May 21, 2025
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5 min read
A conceptual vector image of a person pronouncing phonemes while another person observes the soundwaves under a magnifying glass.
iStock/Getty Images + Education Week
Reading & Literacy What the Research Says Are Early-Reading Laws Changing Teaching Practices?
Laws mandating shifts in professional development and training don't always give teachers curriculum support.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 25, 2025
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6 min read
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