States Leading States (SLS) Initiative
States Leading States (SLS) Initiative
CEPR's new initiative, States Leading States (SLS), will release reports on promising state and local policies—including cell phone bans and summer learning programs—aimed at driving state-level policy change across the country.
States Leading States: Accelerating Solutions in Education
As NAEP scores continue to decline across the country, state leaders are taking bold action to answer a vital question: Which education policies truly deliver better outcomes for students, and how can we share those lessons nationwide?
The Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University has launched the States Leading States (SLS) Initiative to identify, evaluate, and accelerate proven, evidence-based strategies. By learning from and collaborating with partner states, SLS empowers policymakers, practitioners, and communities to create lasting change and help every student succeed.
Funded by generous support from the Walton Foundation and Overdeck Family Foundation, this work will pave the way for effective implementation of enduring state policy change.
Why States Leading States
Accelerating What Works
By spotlighting and sharing effective, evidence-based policies, SLS accelerates the spread of what works so that every state can help its students succeed.
State Leadership
SLS state partners represent geographic, political, and contextual diversity; each is piloting or scaling efforts with potential for national adoption.
Actionable Insights
SLS will begin publishing findings in 2026, empowering states to learn from one another, adapt to new challenges, and lead the way in creating lasting change.
Thomas Kane, CEPR Faculty Director
“Whether it is early literacy, high quality instructional materials, or high school redesign, states are where education reform is happening. The U.S. educational system depends on innovative, evidence-based leadership from governors, state legislators, state boards of education and state education agencies. We will assemble a cohort of leaders committed to following the evidence.”
Christina Grant, CEPR Executive Director
"This work comes at a critical juncture as states are still grappling with the long-term impacts of the pandemic. We hope that this SLS initiative will lay a strong foundation for the next phase of transformative education work across the country.”
Margaret Spellings, Former U.S. Secretary of Education, President and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center
“At a time when too many students are not reading at grade level or able to do basic math and the gaps between highest and lowest performing students are growing, we need to make student achievement a priority again and develop evidence-based strategies that help all students succeed. That’s why I’m pleased to see states coming together alongside the Center for Education Policy Research to take this challenge head on and launch States Leading States. Rigorous nonpartisan research and collaboration among states can have a tremendous impact on the development of new interventions and approaches that get results for students. “
John B. King Jr., Former U.S. Secretary of Education, Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY)
“When states pool their knowledge and work with trusted research partners to improve student outcomes, everyone benefits. States Leading States sets a powerful example for the country by fostering research and collaboration that can help schools everywhere give students the best chance to succeed.”
Meet Our State Partners
Alabama
Requiring every district to offer summer reading and math camps for struggling students.
“Alabama’s students deserve every opportunity to build a solid foundation for the future. By participating in States Leading States, we are sharing our own successes and learning from other innovative states, helping us equip every student for lifelong success.”
Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama State Superintendent of Education
Colorado
Providing comprehensive early literacy supports for elementary school students and educators.
"Colorado is committed to continuous improvement and using strong evidence-based approaches to close learning gaps for every student. Through SLS, we're able to share our innovations and learn from other states to improve student outcomes across the nation."
Dr. Susana Córdova, Colorado Commissioner of Education
Delaware
Testing policies on cell phone use, integrating artificial intelligence, and expanding career and technical education (CTE) pathways.
“Delaware is focused on strategies that strengthen teaching and learning, support educators, and improve student outcomes. States Leading States provides the opportunity to learn from other states, apply evidence, and scale proven solutions that deliver results."
Cindy Marten, Delaware Secretary of Education
Illinois
Implementing policies to manage cell phone use, strengthen continuous improvement for districts, and improve math achievement.
“Illinois is proud to join this national collaboration to spotlight and share evidence-based policies that help students succeed. By learning from diverse state partners and sharing what works, we can accelerate the spread of effective strategies, adapt to new challenges, and lead the way in creating lasting change for students here in Illinois and across the country."
Dr. Tony Sanders, Illinois State Superintendent of Education
Indiana
Piloting an outcomes-based contracting approach for literacy and developing personalized attendance intervention plans.
“In Indiana, we’ve seen student outcomes improve for nearly every single data point, yet we have not been able to move the needle for some of our secondary students who continue to struggle with reading. We are continuing to keep our foot on the gas pedal across the board in areas where we are seeing success, and also, in areas where we are not moving as quickly. As we pilot an outcomes-based contracting model for adolescent literacy, our partnership with SLS will help us to better understand our return on investment, and ultimately, improve together for students.”
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education
Ohio
Launching a statewide cell phone ban during instructional hours alongside early literacy interventions.
"Ohio’s work to improve literacy outcomes, accelerate learning, promote student wellness, and ensure workforce readiness will be bolstered by States Leading States. We’re eager to be a national leader in this effort and spearhead the next phase of collaboration among states to advance achievement and prepare students for success."
Steve Dackin, Director, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Rhode Island
Designing and evaluating innovative state-level interventions to reduce absenteeism and improve reading achievement.
"We have an urgent responsibility to act for our students now. By collaborating through States Leading States, we're committed to trying new ideas, measuring their impact, and sharing what works."
Angélica Infante-Green, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Tennessee
Redesigning high school accountability and increasing student access to valuable postsecondary pathways.
“Innovation moves the needle for student success. Tennessee is committed to transforming the high school experience by ensuring that all students have access to high-quality postsecondary opportunities that promote strong academic, military, and workforce readiness.”
Lizzette Reynolds, Tennessee Commissioner of Education
Texas
Strengthening the statewide math curriculum to boost student achievement in mathematics.
States Leading States in the News
Meet the States Leading States Team
Elizabeth Burland
Joanne Carminucci
Samantha Cullum
Jasmine Jha
Micaela Keating Sharp
Atsuko Muroga
Emily Nordbeck
Scott Sargrad
Kellie Solowski
kellie_solowski@gse.harvard.edu