Media Contact:
| ETS: | Kristen Mitchel |
|---|---|
| Email: | kmitchell002@ets.org |
PRINCETON, N.J. — (July 15, 2026) — The ETS Research Institute today announced the launch of the Center for Policy Research, a new research center dedicated to strengthening education from early childhood through adulthood and career transitions. The Center will translate evidence from large-scale assessment data, measurement science, and applied research into clear, actionable guidance for policymakers, funders, and education leaders.
“The Center for Policy Research builds on ETS’s longstanding leadership in measurement and research to connect what we know about learning and skills with the policy decisions that shape opportunity over a lifetime,” said Kadriye Ercikan, Senior Vice President of Global Research at ETS.
The Center will be led by Robert Bozick, who joins ETS as Senior Research Director. A social scientist with more than 20 years of experience in public policy research, his work spans education, workforce development, and economic opportunity.
“Advances in technology are rapidly reshaping how we learn, work, and build careers—creating both new opportunities and new challenges for education systems,” said Bozick. “This new Center aims to deliver rigorous, forward-looking research that helps policymakers turn that change into better outcomes and prepares learners at every stage for success in a dynamic economy.”
Addressing a widening gap in educational opportunity and workforce readiness
The gap between the highest- and lowest-performing students in the United States has reached its widest point in more than two decades, according to 4th and 8th grade NAEP scores from 2005 to 2024, with disparities widening even before the pandemic. These gaps reflect deep differences in opportunity, in the resources, teaching, and social conditions that shape whether learners can succeed in school and acquire the skills needed for a rapidly changing workforce. The Center’s research agenda is focused on informing the policy decisions needed to close these persistent gaps, guided by three core questions:
- What policies and programs improve outcomes for learners?
- What makes policies and programs work across different communities and contexts?
- Under what conditions do policies and programs produce lasting change?
Moving beyond reports to sustained impact
The Center pairs rigorous analysis with ongoing engagement to move evidence into action. It brings together commissioned research, an independent advisory body, and cross-sector convenings, creating shared spaces where policymakers, researchers, and practitioners can examine evidence and shape solutions together. Beyond what the evidence shows, the Center focuses on how it is generated, tested, and applied in real-world contexts. Through coordinated dissemination—including policy briefs, public events, and accessible data tools—it ensures insights reach decision-makers in forms they can use.
“At a moment when education systems are under increasing strain, this Center brings a clear line of sight from evidence to action,” said Christina Grant, Executive Director and Lecturer, Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. “It has the potential to fundamentally reshape how policy is designed, so that it consistently delivers on its commitment to broader access, stronger outcomes, and lasting impact.”
To learn more about the Center and explore collaboration, visit http://www.ets.org/research/policy-center.html
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About ETS
ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future ready. Our mission—advancing the science of measurement to power human progress—drives our focus on helping everyone, everywhere, demonstrate their skills and chart their path to future readiness for life. We deliver trusted assessments and skills solutions—including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, Praxis, and Futurenav—and groundbreaking initiatives powered by our Research Institute. With a global footprint in more than 200 countries and territories, we help over 50 million individuals each year measure their proficiency and unlock new opportunities. Learn more at www.ets.org.