How Educational Research Can Inform Policy-Making

15 September 2025

Ah, educational research and policy-making—two fields that should, in theory, be best friends, holding hands and walking into the sunset together. But let's be real: more often than not, they're like distant cousins who only see each other at awkward family reunions.

Policymakers often charge ahead with reforms based on "gut feelings" or the opinions of some guy they met at a dinner party. Meanwhile, researchers are left screaming, "We have data for that!" into the void. So how do we bridge this gap? How can educational research actually, you know, matter when it comes to shaping policies that affect millions of students?

Buckle up, because we're about to take a deep dive into why educational research should be the MVP in policy-making—and why ignoring it is basically like driving blindfolded.

What Is Educational Research, Anyway?

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's clarify what we mean by "educational research." Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just a bunch of academics in ivory towers writing papers no one reads. It’s the systematic study of how people learn, how teaching methods work (or don’t), and how educational systems function.

In other words, it’s the kind of research that could actually help improve schools—if only policy-makers paid attention.

Why Policies Need More Than Just "Good Intentions"

Ah, good intentions—those lovely things politicians wave around before implementing disastrous policies. The problem? Good intentions are worthless without evidence.

Take standardized testing, for example. It sounds great in theory: hold schools accountable, measure student progress, ensure everyone is on the same page. But educational research has consistently shown that an over-reliance on standardized tests can lead to:

- Teaching to the test (aka turning classrooms into mind-numbing prep factories)
- Increased student stress (because obviously, more testing = more anxiety)
- Widening achievement gaps (because not all students have the same resources to prepare)

Yet, despite mountains of research pointing out these problems, standardized testing still dominates many education policies. Why? Because it feels like a good idea, even though research says otherwise.

The Disconnect Between Research and Policy

If research provides such valuable insights, why do policymakers often ignore it? Well, here’s the thing—educational research isn't exactly a page-turner. It’s dense, filled with jargon, and sometimes contradicts itself. Policy-making, on the other hand, runs on urgency, political agendas, and public opinion.

Some reasons for this disconnect include:

- Time Constraints: Research takes time, but policymakers need answers yesterday.
- Complexity: Research findings aren’t always clear-cut or easy to implement in real-world settings.
- Politics: Let’s be honest—decisions are often made based on what will win votes, not what the data says.
- Communication Gaps: Researchers and policymakers speak different languages. One loves nuance; the other needs clear, actionable solutions.

The result? Policies that ignore the nuances of education research and end up doing more harm than good.

How Educational Research Should Inform Policy-Making

Now that we've dunked on bad policy decisions, let’s talk solutions. How can we make sure research actually influences education policies instead of gathering dust in academic journals?

1. Make Research Digestible

Let’s be real—no politician is going to sit down and read a 50-page research paper filled with statistical models and footnotes. If researchers want their work to influence policy, they need to make it accessible.

That means:
- Writing in plain English (because no one has time to decipher academic jargon)
- Summarizing key findings in easy-to-read formats (think: policy briefs, infographics, or even short videos)
- Making data visual and engaging (because a well-placed chart can say more than a thousand words)

2. Bridge the Gap with Policy Advisors

Researchers and policymakers don’t naturally overlap in their daily worlds, which is a problem. We need specialized policy advisors who understand both research and governance to act as translators, turning academic findings into actionable policies.

Think of them as the diplomats of education—fluent in both "research-ese" and "politician-speak" who can navigate the tricky world of government decision-making.

3. Encourage Evidence-Based Policymaking (Crazy Idea, Right?)

Imagine a world where politicians actually used evidence before making decisions. Radical, I know. But some places are already doing this with success!

For example, Finland’s education system—often hailed as one of the best in the world—is heavily informed by research. They prioritize teacher training, focus on creativity over rote memorization, and gasp listen to data-driven recommendations. And guess what? Their students perform exceptionally well.

Other countries could take a hint, but that requires a shift in mindset—from quick fixes to long-term, research-backed strategies.

4. Fund Research That Actually Matters

Not all research is created equal. Some studies are genuinely game-changing, while others focus on things so obscure they have zero real-world application. (Looking at you, studies analyzing whether left-handed students perform better in low-light classrooms.)

Governments and educational organizations need to invest in research that actually addresses pressing policy issues. And that means funding studies designed with policymakers in mind, ensuring that findings are relevant and immediately applicable.

5. Hold Policymakers Accountable

Here’s a wild thought: what if policymakers had to justify their decisions with actual data? Instead of basing education policies on gut feelings, public demand, or political convenience, officials should be required to cite research that backs up their ideas.

If a new policy contradicts existing research, they should have to explain why. This level of accountability would force politicians to move beyond catchy slogans and instead, base their decisions on what actually works.

The Bottom Line

Educational research isn’t just a bunch of boring studies—it’s the key to smarter, more effective policies. But until policymakers start valuing data over political expediency, we’ll keep seeing questionable reforms that sound good in speeches but fail in practice.

The good news? Change is possible. By making research more accessible, bridging the communication gap, and demanding evidence-based decision-making, we can create an education system that actually benefits students—rather than just looking good on paper.

Because honestly, making policies without research is like baking a cake without a recipe. Sure, you might end up with something edible, but chances are, it’ll be a disaster.