Evidence-Based Governance

What the research says about school board effectiveness

Accessible summaries of peer-reviewed research and policy studies — translated for practitioners who work with boards.

Studies Reviewed
Governance Topics
8+ States Represented
Recent Research

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What We Summarize

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles on board governance
  • RAND, Brookings, and policy institute reports
  • State education agency longitudinal studies
  • Meta-analyses and systematic reviews

How We Score Research

We evaluate each study using the PEARLS framework — a 6-criterion, 30-point scale that scores participant quality, execution rigor, analysis precision, relevance, funding transparency, and scope. Below 20 = untrustworthy for decision-making. Above 26 = trustworthy.

Read the full PEARLS methodology →

How to Use the Findings

Practitioner implications are clearly labeled and separated from research findings. Research informs — it does not prescribe. Context, local conditions, and professional judgment remain essential.