Established in the fall of 1990, the Center for the Study of Education Reform conducts policy research on selected school reform issues and disseminates research findings to policy makers and educators. Through its work, the Center provides opportunities for faculty and students to conduct research and to disseminate findings via conferences, presentations, and study reports. During most of its existence, the Center’s research activities have focused on the investigation of the consequences of public and private school choice. This work has involved an interdisciplinary research team consisting of faculty members from the College of Education and the Department of Political Science, along with graduate students in education, political science, and public administration. Faculty in the Department of Public Administration and the Department of Economics have also been involved, as has the Survey Research Center in the School for Community Service.

Beginning in 2004, the Center’s research activities have concentrated on investigations of educational policy and curricular and instructional innovations intended to promote academic success of traditionally marginalized student populations, particularly Spanish speaking immigrants. This new direction has expanded the Center’s research focus to international collaborations with researchers in Latin America. 

The Center’s efforts to develop and disseminate new knowledge regarding the impact of education policy and curricular and instructional innovations continue to support the university’s mission and vision to:

• achieve high-quality instruction, scholarship and service by:
  • fostering excellence and innovation in teaching and learning;
  • supporting research and creative activities that expand knowledge, strengthen undergraduate and graduate programs, and promote the application of knowledge for the benefit of society;
• nurture development of students by providing continuing opportunities for intellectual and career growth