Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst Director of the Institute of Education Sciences

The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 established a new organization within the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Education Sciences. Our mission is to provide rigorous evidence on which to ground education practice and policy. By identifying what works, what doesn’t, and why, we intend to improve the outcomes of education for all students, particularly those at risk of failure.

The Institute funds hundreds of research studies on ways to improve academic achievement, conducts large-scale evaluations of federal education programs and reports a wide array of statistics on the condition of education such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress. We support the building of an infrastructure for evidence-based education through activities such as grants to states to develop longitudinal data systems. We disseminate evidence on education to the public and practitioners through the What Works Clearinghouse and the ERIC education database, conferences, publications and products and 10 regional education laboratories and 10 national research and development centers.

By law and by culture our activities are free of partisan political influence. We operate with the oversight and counsel of the National Board for Education Sciences.

Whether you are a practitioner, researcher, policymaker, student, or concerned citizen, I invite you to become familiar with the work of the Institute and to join with us in the commitment to evidence-based education.