About
The Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy’s mission is to improve public education through well-informed decision-making based on deep knowledge and evidence of effective policymaking and practice. As Massachusetts’ preeminent voice in public education reform, we create open spaces for educators and policymakers to consider evidence, discuss cutting-edge issues, and develop new approaches to advance student learning and achievement. Through our staunch commitment to independent, non-partisan research and constructive conversations, we work to promote an education system that provides every child with the opportunity to be successful in school and in life.
Our Work
We combine research with on-the-ground initiatives to support and promote education reform.
- Our Condition of Education in the Commonwealth report takes a yearly snapshot of the education system in Massachusetts, examining broader patterns in our public schools and recommending areas for action that are well-supported by research and evidence.
- Our independent research explores a variety of cutting-edge issues facing public education to guide discussion and decision-making around education policy and practice.
- Through a number of initiatives we put our research into practice by teaming up with schools and districts to help design, measure, and share effective reforms aimed at improving outcomes for all students.
Our History
The Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy is named in memory of John C. (Jack) Rennie, who was the spirit and prime moving force behind the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993. Jack's consensus-building approach to public policy challenges, his belief in the power of a respectful, thoughtful, civic dialogue, and his passionate commitment to children are all qualities that guide the work of the Rennie Center today.
The Rennie Center was launched by former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville as a division of the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC) in October 2002. In the summer of 2005, the Rennie Center became an independent non-profit organization committed to addressing the critical challenges of reforming education in Massachusetts.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Chad d’Entremont, the Rennie Center has evolved into an action-based think tank, pairing research with on-the-ground programs that support schools and districts in implementing reforms. In 2012, the Rennie Center teamed up with educators, researchers, and community leaders to start the Massachusetts Education Partnership, an initiative focused on driving district and school improvement through shared leadership and collaboration. In 2014, we co-founded the Massachusetts Institute for College and Career Readiness, an initiative that pairs researchers from across the country with Massachusetts school districts to design, implement, and evaluate college and career readiness programs. In 2016, we launched the Massachusetts Teaching & Learning Network to bring together a group of networks aimed at improving educator effectiveness by empowering teachers to develop, assess and share new practices. Together these initiatives are leveraging research to help build the capacity of schools and districts to drive improvements.
