Knowledge Alliance, with support from the W.T. Grant Foundation, will be hosting a three-part congressional briefing series to explore the role of the Federal education research, development and dissemination (R&D) system. The series aims to increase awareness and support among policymakers for high-quality education research and development (R&D) critical to addressing the most pressing challenges facing students, educators, families, and school leaders nationwide!
Please read below for more information on the series and follow KA on LinkedIn to stay up to date on KA activities.
Briefing 3: Strengthening the Education Research Infrastructure: State Leaders on the Federal Role
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 1:00-2:00pm ET
Location: Virtual
Panelists:
Angélica Infante-Green
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Rhode Island
Dr. Jill Underly
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Wisconsin
Dr. Lance Evans
Superintendent of Education
Mississippi
Check out the video clips below for Briefing 3!
Click HERE to see Commissioner Infante-Green talk about how the Federal R&D system supports cross-State learning.
Click HERE to see Secretary Evans discuss the work the Regional Education Laboratory Southeast supports in Mississippi.
Click HERE to see Secretary Underly explain how policymakers should think about Federal R&D as a long-term investment.
Click HERE to hear Commissioner Infante-Green explain how the Federal R&D infrastructure is especially important in a small State such as Rhode Island.
Click HERE to hear how Secretary Evans leverages Federal data to make decisions that improve student outcomes in Mississippi.
Click HERE to hear Secretary Underly explain how the RELs and CCs provide needed, additional capacity to address some of Wisconsin’s most pressing issues.
Click HERE see Commissioner Infante-Green discuss how the Federal education research infrastructure is essential in providing States the information needed to determine what is effective for students.
Click HERE to see Secretary Evans make the case for why policymakers should not cut funding for Federal education research.
Click HERE to hear Secretary Underly explain why Federal R&D is essential to ensuring our education system is keeping pace with the changing economy.
Briefing 2: Strengthening the Education Research Infrastructure: Value and Impact – Reaching Classrooms and Communities
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET
Location: Virtual
Moderator:
Dr. Carey Wright
State Superintendent of Schools
Maryland
Panelists:
Dr. Caitlin Ferrell
Director, National Center of Research in Policy and Practice
University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Charlene Williams
Director
Oregon Department of Education
Kelly Bielefeld
Superintendent
Wichita Public Schools, Kansas
Bethany Gordon
Pre-K Teacher
Goochland County Public Schools, Virginia
Check out the video clips below for Briefing 2!
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Carey Wright discuss how she used Federal research supports in Mississippi and Maryland.
Please CLICK HERE to see Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld discuss how REL Central invested in evidence dissemination in Kansas.
Please CLICK HERE to see Bethany Gordon discuss how she implemented the REL Appalachia math toolkit in her Virginia preschool classroom.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Caitlin Farrell discuss how Federal partners are honest evidence brokers.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Charlene Williams discuss how the Region 11 Comprehensive Center is helping Oregon develop an expanded learning ecosystem.
Please CLICK HERE to see Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld discuss how REL Central connects initiatives across States.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Caitlin Farrell discuss how the Federal investments are the backbone to classroom results.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Charlene Williams discuss how REL Northwest is expanding research capacity in Oregon.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Rachel Dinkes discuss the Federal role in effective evidence use uptake.
Please CLICK HERE to see Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld discuss how Federal research supports districts of different sizes in Kansas.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Caitlin Farrell discuss how the REL Appalachia math toolkit pairs research and practice in a Virginia preschool classroom.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Charlene Williams discuss how the Region 11 Comprehensive Center is helping Oregon maximize instructional time.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Carey Wright discuss how Federal education research tools are free to States.
Please CLICK HERE to see Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld discuss how Federal investments allow for local flexibility.
Briefing 1: Strengthening the Federal Education Research Engine: Value and Impact
Date: Wednesday, November 19th, 2025
Time: 9:00-11:00am
Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2044
KA Briefing 1 Resources:
Please see below for downloadable resources from KA's first briefing.
This briefing features the following speakers:
Candace Vinson
Lead Education Consultant, Office of Career & Technical Education, Career Readiness Unit
Michigan Department of Education
Dr. Michael Rice
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction
Michigan Department of Education
Chris Dwyer
Senior Vice President
RMC Research
Bobby Murphy
Director of Curriculum and Assessment/Chief Academic Officer/Instructional Supervisor
Anderson County Schools
Check out the video clips below for Briefing 1!
Please CLICK HERE to see Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) provide remarks on how critical it is for the Federal government to support Federal education R&D.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Michael Rice, former Superintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan discuss the importance of a shared, national evidence base and a coordinated Federal R&D engine.
Please CLICK HERE to see Bobby Murphy, Chief Academic Officer from Anderson County, Kentucky discuss how REL Appalachia is working with his district to improve math results for students.
Please CLICK HERE to see Candace Vinson, Education Consultant at the Office of Career & Technical Education in the Michigan Department of Education discuss how the Region 8 Comprehensive Center provided critical support for Michigan’s educator preparation pipeline.
Please CLICK HERE to see Chris Dwyer, Senior Vice President at RMC Research, discuss how stability in Federal education research impacts outcomes through the Region 6 Comprehensive Center's work in Mississippi.
Please CLICK HERE to see Dr. Michael Rice discuss Michigan's use of Federal and State research in their Strategic Education Plan.
Please CLICK HERE to see Candace Vinson discuss how the Region 8 Comprehensive Center helped the Michigan Department of Education expand their career and technical education (CTE) programs.
Please CLICK HERE to see Bobby Murphy discuss the "ripple effect" of Federal education R&D on schools and educators in Anderson County, Kentucky.
Please CLICK HERE to see Rep. Adams discuss how Federal education R&D is the "backbone" of the modern education system.