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Journal article

10 September 2026

An agenda for implementation science in education 

Authors:

Noam Angrist, Tahir Andrabi, Stefan Dercon, Sharnic Djaker, James Habyarimana, Michelle Kaffenberger, Clare Leaver, Akshay Mangla, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane and Abhijeet Singh

Suggested bibliographic citation:

Angrist, N., Andrabi, T., Dercon, S., Djaker, S., Habyarimana, J., Kaffenberger, M., Leaver, C., Mangla, A.,  Mohohlwane, N. & Singh, A. (2026). An agenda for implementation science in education. Science, 393 (6816),1084-1087. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aee7868 

Abstract

While nearly all children around the globe now attain at least some schooling, learning achievement remains low worldwide. Although there is growing evidence for approaches that improve learning outcomes, less is known about implementing programs at scale effectively and equitably, contributing to persistently low learning outcomes. Research studies often remain small and tightly controlled. Yet, ideas that work in small pilots often fail to achieve similar impacts when implemented at large scale and by governments. Implementation fidelity and take-up are rarely measured or reported. This leaves important questions unanswered, such as how much of the variation in effects across contexts is due to implementation and whether an ineffective program failed because of poor design, poor implementation, or both. This article aims to advance the field by putting forward a research agenda and consolidated conceptual framework to guide implementation science in global education.

References

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Angrist, N., Cullen, C. & Magat, J. (2025). Cheaper (and more effective) by the dozen: Evidence from 12 randomised A/B tests optimising tutoring for scale. What Works Hub for Global Education. https://doi.org/10.35489/BSG-WhatWorksHubforGlobalEducation-WP_2025/001

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Angrist, N., Djaker, S., Ho, S., Kaffenberger, M., Romero, G. & Sturla, K. (2026). Measuring implementation in education. What Works Hub for Global Education. https://doi.org/10.35489/BSG-WhatWorksHubforGlobalEducation-RI_2026/005

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