Stories

Discover the people, research, and ideas driving the Stanford Accelerator for Learning

Scholars affiliated with the Stanford Accelerator for Learning make a difference through their research, teaching, and other projects, and by sharing those insights and knowledge with the public.

Top Stories

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Dan Schwartz stands in a beautiful garden on campus.
February 25th, 2026 Announcements

Dan Schwartz to step down as dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education

Schwartz, who will continue to lead the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, has guided the GSE through unprecedented change during an era of major disruption in education and a technological revolution in learning.
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A conference hall with beautiful natural light full of attendees and 3 presenters onstage.
February 19th, 2026 Event, Research

AI challenges core assumptions in education

We need to rethink student assessment, AI literacy, and technology’s usefulness, according to experts at the recent AI+Education Summit.
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An image of Chris Lemons beside the title, Intellectual disabilities and college.
February 18th, 2026 Learning Differences, Research

Intellectual disabilities and college: Envisioning bright futures ↗

“Presumed competence” can improve learning outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, says Christopher Lemons, faculty director of the Learning Differences initiative, on the latest episode of the School's In podcast.
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Jason Yeatman, a white man with glasses wearing a black sweater, leans on the upper floor of the new ANKO building in front of the large blue and white art installation of small pieces of paper hanging from the ceiling.
November 4th, 2025 Learning Differences, Research

‘Our goal is to build bridges between the lab and the classroom’ ↗

By studying why some kids struggle to read, cognitive neuroscientist and Accelerator Faculty Affiliate Jason Yeatman hopes to make education work better for all students and deepen science’s understanding of the brain.
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More stories

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February 20th, 2026 Learning Differences, Research

Dyslexic children show differences in brain reading region

A new study reveals that the visual word form area, vital for text recognition, is smaller or absent in dyslexic children. Intensive reading intervention can help.
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February 20th, 2026 Early Childhood, Research

Schools may be finding ways around suspension bans, Stanford research reveals

A new study emerging from SFUSD's Shoestrings program reveals informal exclusionary discipline is a widespread problem — but there are solutions.
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Caucasian little boy and his mother sitting together at table and reading book, mother teaching her child to read. Education, learning, study. Mother language.
February 18th, 2026 Digital Learning, Learning Differences

How the ‘science of reading’ is reshaping literacy education

Stanford Professor Rebecca Silverman discusses a transformative movement backed by research that is changing literacy instruction in schools nationwide.
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School girl working on her math skills
February 18th, 2026 Learning Differences, Research

How math learning disabilities affect problem-solving

New research from Stanford shows that children with math learning disabilities exhibit distinct brain activity patterns. The insights could pave the way for innovative support strategies.
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A bored-looking elementary school child sits at a desk in a classroom.
December 16th, 2025 Research

Letting students fidget can boost creativity, Stanford-led research finds

A new study finds that giving middle schoolers the freedom to move in their seats enhances creativity without diminishing their ability to pay attention or remember information.
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A group of children sit in a row in a classroom. One points at the other's laptop screen as they look at it together.
October 8th, 2025 Digital Learning, Research

What parents need to know about AI in the classroom ↗

From immersive learning and personalized tutors to lesson plans and grading, AI is everywhere in K-12 education. Victor Lee, faculty lead for the Accelerator's AI + Education program, offers three steps for parents to get informed and involved.
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September 25th, 2025 Learning Differences, Research

Stanford partners with San Francisco schools to get to the bottom of racial disparities in special education

Stanford Accelerator for Learning Faculty Affiliate Alfredo J. Artiles leads a new research initiative to design changes in a system where Black students are far more likely than all other students to be referred to special education.
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Bob Hoover, an older Black man wearing a Korea Veteran cap, stands with four other adults in a classroom.
September 22nd, 2025 Equity in Learning

New program brings distinguished community education leaders to Stanford

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning's Equity in Learning Initiative taps local expertise to help students, scholars gain new perspectives on education.
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September 11th, 2025 Announcements, Learning Differences

New faculty director named for Learning Differences Initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning

Christopher J. Lemons, a former special education teacher and expert in reading interventions for learners with disabilities, will shepherd collaborative research projects that help improve the lives of people with learning differences.
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