Faculty: Cultivating a Community of Excellence

During The Stanford Challenge, we aim to increase the number of faculty chairs from 8 to 13.  This will help us attract and retain prominent education researchers who are committed to improving practice.

Charter Schools: Promoting School Improvement

The mission of our charter schools is to use knowledge about best practices based on our research to provide a seamless, high-quality K-12 educational experience for students living in an underserved community, to develop and share innovative practices with teachers and administrators nationwide, and to help us prepare teachers in settings that most need high-quality teachers.

Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP): Educating Teacher Leaders

STEP is making a significant impact on K-12 education around the country by recruiting talented teacher candidates, preparing them well, and offering ongoing opportunities for professional development.  Financial aid is critical to our ability to attract and retain the most promising prospective teachers.

The John W. Gardner Center: Supporting Youth Development

Stanford addresses the larger community context of youth development primarily through the work of the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities, founded in 2000.  The center focuses on creating stronger links among middle and high schools, community organizations, and cities to support youth who have many outside forces in their lives that may negatively affect their education and development.

The Institute for Research on Education Policy and Practice: Advancing Meaningful Change

Stanford’s Institute for Research on Education Policy and Practice is a new effort designed to inform education policy decisions through rigorous and systematic research and analysis that is informed by the realities of educational settings.