Wheelock Institute for the Science of Education
At WISE, we are driven by a powerful mission – to transform the foundational systems of education, learning, and positive human development to enhance the well-being of children, families, and communities.
Centers and Labs
Our mission at WISE is to reshape the landscape of education. We are dedicated to pioneering multidisciplinary and collaborative research that builds upon proven best practices while also pushing the boundaries of possibility. By bridging the gap between existing evidence and new frontiers, we’re shaping the future of education.
Centers
National Center on Improving Literacy
The NCIL strives to build individual and organizational capacity to increase access to and use evidence-based approaches to screen, identify, and teach students with literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia.
Lead for Literacy
The Lead for Literacy Center guides elementary school and district leaders to improve literacy teaching and learning outcomes for all students through evidence-based programs and practices.
Center for Effective Teaching
The Center for Effective Teaching is dedicated to advancing evidence-based educational practices for teachers and educators nationally and internationally.
Wise Service Center
The WISE Service Center offers a comprehensive array of services including technical assistance, professional development, models of High Dosage Tutoring, and curriculum development and design.
Labs
The Lab of Cognitive and AI Research in Education
L-CARE works at the intersection of cognitive and learning sciences and systems design, from machine learning and perception to decision-making and human-machine interactions. Lab Leaders: Ola Ozernov-Palchik and Eshed Ohn Bar
Engineering Novel Assessments of Competencies of Teaching
The ENACT Lab will conceptualize, develop and validate new tools to measure professional educator competencies. Lab Leaders: Nate Jones and Marissa Pilger
WISE Service Center
The WISE Service Center offers a comprehensive array of services including technical assistance, professional development, models of High Dosage Tutoring, and curriculum development and design.
Curriculum Design
Our curriculum design and development team are ready to support you with an iterative, scientifically-based approach to develop teaching and training materials for educators, and curriculum and intervention programs for children and families.
Tutoring
By expanding access to the latest research and proven methodologies, we are creating a ripple effect of educational excellence that reaches far beyond our campus.
Technical Assistance
Our comprehensive translation and training services empower administrators, educators, and parents with the tools they need to excel.
Request Support
If you’d like to explore how WISE can support your efforts to enhance the well-being of children, families, and communities
By the Numbers
2018 – 2023 Leadership publications
298
core faculty articles
Current Grand Funding
$25
million dollars
Schools Utilizing WISE Innovations
15
thousand schools
Centers and Labs
7
4 Centers & 3 Labs
In the News
News
The Valedictorian Project: Tracking student progress
NBC 10 Boston
WISE institute’s very own Wilsi Taveras was featured on NBC Boston as one of the first participants of “The Valedictorian Project” to graduate. Known as TVP, the program pairs top students with an older adult and a
peer mentor. Learn more about the program and about Wilsi.
News
Hank Fien Named First Roberts Professor of Educational Innovation
By Finn Gardiner
BU Wheelock’s Hank Fien was recently named the inaugural Nancy H. Roberts Professor of Educational Innovation. Established with a generous gift from Nancy Roberts (CAS’59, Wheelock’61,’75) and her husband, Edward…
Voices & Opinion
POV: We Need to Be Better at Teaching Kids to Read
By David Chard
Wheelock dean addresses new report that criticizes area colleges for not adequately preparing future educators—and shares steps BU is taking.
Education
How to Help Kids Become Better Readers
By Amy Laskowski
BU researchers identify solutions to improve reading and literacy skills and help children struggling with reading.
Support the WISE Mission
Enhance the well-being of children, families, and communities by supporting the research and services of WISE.
Some of our sponsors include
- U.S. Department of Education
- NIH
- NSF
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- The Nancy H. Roberts Professorship of Educational Innovation Endowment
Sponsorships
Partnerships
School Mental Health Research Lab
The SMHR lab partners with schools and school districts to address questions and provide information to the field about supporting student, staff, and family mental health and wellness. Lab Leaders: Jen Green and Melissa Holt