Linda Choi

Linda Choi applies qualitative research methods, mixed-methods evaluation, and communications expertise to generate actionable evidence that supports education improvement efforts at the national, state, and local levels. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice by translating complex findings into accessible resources that inform decision-making for educators, policymakers, and technical assistance providers. 

Choi leads and contributes to a diverse portfolio of education research and evaluation projects spanning educator preparation, school improvement, early childhood education, higher education, and K–12 instructional practice. She currently supports statewide improvement initiatives through the West Comprehensive Center, such as contributing qualitative research and stakeholder engagement activities for the California State Board of Education's Portrait of a Graduate initiative and California's Differentiated Assistance system. Her work includes designing qualitative studies, conducting interviews and focus groups, analyzing qualitative data, synthesizing findings, and producing reports and presentations that inform education policy and systems improvement. 

Throughout her career, Choi has played leading roles in evaluations funded by federal agencies, foundations, and education organizations, including studies supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, Houghton Mifflin, and numerous AIR initiatives. Her research experience spans curriculum evaluation, meta-analysis, community schools, mathematics interventions, early childhood education, college completion, and schoolwide improvement efforts. Across these projects, she has led qualitative research design, developed research instruments, conducted classroom observations and focus groups, managed data collection, synthesized evidence, and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to produce rigorous evaluations that support evidence-based educational practice. 

In addition to her research expertise, Choi is recognized for her leadership in strategic communications and knowledge mobilization. She has served as communications lead for several national technical assistance centers, including the National Center on Intensive Intervention and the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders, where she develops dissemination strategies, manages newsletters and social media campaigns, creates practitioner-focused resources, and works closely with project leadership and partner organizations to increase the accessibility and impact of research. Her communications work helps ensure that evidence reaches educators, state education agencies, and policymakers in ways that support implementation and continuous improvement. 

Choi has authored policy briefs on educational equity, systems improvement, and multi-tiered systems of support through the California Collaborative on District Reform. Her scholarly work has also appeared in Sociology of Education and in the edited volume Social Network Theory and Education Change, reflecting her interest in educational improvement, organizational learning, and the role of research in advancing equitable educational opportunities.