Skip to main content
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact

Search form

American Institutes for Research

  • Our Work
    • Education
    • Health
    • International
    • Workforce
    • ALL TOPICS >
  • Our Services
    • Research and Evaluation
    • Technical Assistance
  • Our Experts
  • News & Events

You are here

  • Home

The Potential of Science of Learning and Development (SoLD) to Transform Education Systems

Project
Learn more about the science behind how children develop into whole individuals >>

Various scientific areas of inquiry—including neuroscience, epigenetics, learning science, social and emotional learning, early childhood development, the science of adversity, and human development—tell a positive and powerful story about how children develop, how they become and grow as learners, and how their environments can nourish or impede the expression of their fullest potential. Scientific convergence affirms the potential in each child and suggests significant implications for transforming the design of education and other child-serving systems to achieve education equity and excellence.

The Science of Learning and Development (SoLD) initiative began in 2016 with a shared commitment to a better and more equitable education for each and every child—and a hypothesis that a synthesis of the knowledge from multiple disciplines on the science of learning and development could provide critical insights and solutions to persistent and growing inequity and underperformance in the U.S. education system.

The initiative grew out of a partnership including AIR, Education Counsel, The Opportunity Institute, Learning Policy Institute (LPI), Turnaround for Children, and Populace. Each organization committed to improving equity and outcomes for all students, particularly for students how have been and continue to be underserved by our education system. The partnership aimed to work at all levels of the system and leverage their collective expertise and influence to identify and promote research, practices, and policies that are aligned to and advance the science of learning and development.

An overarching goal of all SoLD partnerships, projects, and practices is to support the effective learning, educational attainment, and positive development of all children.

Addressing Equity with a Science of Learning and Development Frame
Learn more about the Science of Learning and Development >>

To successfully transform the education system, it is necessary to recognize and address longstanding failures to provide full and fair opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, students with learning differences, students with disabilities, English learners, and other children and youth underserved by the current education system and related child- and family-serving systems. The prior work of the SoLD Initiative affirms that the science of learning and development presents numerous, powerful lessons that could transform our child-serving systems to help each and every child achieve his/her full potential, with a particular focus on children who are underserved.

The initial phase of the SoLD Initiative sought to summarize and elevate the science as a key driver of change to support long-term efforts to close the gap between the systems we have and the systems we need.

Read an article about how relationships and context shape learning and development >>

Additional projects have been developed with the goal of engaging practitioners, policymakers, and scientists in the dissemination and implementation of SoLD aligned practices and interventions. AIR has a role across core SoLD projects to establish a strong base of shared knowledge and learning. Currently there are three key SoLD projects building upon the science base: an examination of methods and measures available to support students’ individual growth trajectories; establishment of a national advisory committee to support and disseminate the SoLD science; and an effort to explore the feasibility of implementing SoLD aligned initiatives within school districts, including conducting case studies and developing tools to support.

Share

Contact

David Osher

David Osher

Vice President and Institute Fellow
Juliette Berg

Juliette Berg

Senior Researcher

Topics

Education
Social and Emotional Learning
Health

Related Resources

Drivers of Human Development: How Relationships and Context Shape Learning and Development
Malleability, Plasticity, and Individuality: How Children Learn and Develop in Context
Science of Learning and Development: A Synthesis

RESEARCH. EVALUATION. APPLICATION. IMPACT.

About Us

About AIR
Board of Directors
Leadership
Experts
Clients
Contracting with AIR
Contact Us

Our Work

Education
Health
International
Workforce

Client Services

Research and Evaluation
Technical Assistance

News & Events

Careers at AIR


Search form


 

Connecting

FacebookTwitterLinkedinYouTubeInstagram

American Institutes for Research

1400 Crystal Drive, 10th Floor
Arlington, VA 22202-3289
Call: (202) 403-5000
Fax: (202) 403-5000

Copyright © 2021 American Institutes for Research®.  All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap