A long‑anticipated review of the Institute of Education Sciences urges a major redesign to make federal education research faster, leaner and more actionable. Amber Northern’s report, released Friday, recommends breaking down internal silos across IES’ centers, accelerating grant timelines, improving communication about evidence-based products, and pruning or modernizing certain longitudinal studies at the National Center for Education Statistics. Public commenters urged quicker grant awards and clearer guidance to help districts implement proven practices; the report largely aligns with those calls. Department officials now face the operational challenge of turning recommendations about research modernization into rulemaking and budget priorities.