Scaling research is a central focus across the KIX applied research portfolio. It aims to generate evidence in support of scaling the impact of innovations that address education priorities of GPE partner countries and open the ‘black box’ of the scaling process in these countries. The KIX project entitled Research on Scaling the Impact of Innovations in Education (ROSIE) has been an integral component of this research. It has been supporting the scaling efforts of KIX applied research projects through capacity strengthening activities and conducting and disseminating novel research about scaling based on the experiences of projects and national education stakeholders in GPE partner countries.
ROSIE, which is implemented by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at the Brookings Institution, has been granted an extension in the context of the overall extension of KIX until 2027. Since its launch in 2020, ROSIE has had an important impact within and beyond KIX. ROSIE has helped KIX applied research projects to strengthen their understanding of scaling; the established community of practice has created space for organic knowledge exchange and deeper reflection on scaling-related topics, and individual support to projects has enhanced their research and findings.
Similarly, ROSIE’s research has generated discussions beyond KIX projects, with international development actors and education stakeholders in GPE partner countries. ROSIE has produced new scaling insights about the importance of treating relevant stakeholders as champions in the scaling journey; how teachers and school leaders can be engaged in scaling as partners and positive implications of this, and the role and impact of different external incentives and environmental factors on scaling. It has also provided insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scaling, including how disruptions such as COVID-19, despite their devastating impacts, can create unique windows of opportunity for scaling.
Additionally, by investigating scaling from the perspective of national decision-makers, ROSIE has produced new knowledge about the factors influencing the decisions of governments to adopt innovations and the ingredients necessary for government adoption of education innovations. The research generated by ROSIE provides new knowledge and guidance for scaling researchers and practitioners, policymakers, international development actors, and other education stakeholders.
Commenting on the extension, CUE senior fellow and ROSIE project lead, Brad Olsen, remarked how much CUE has learned about processes of scaling in education through collaboration with the KIX project teams and education stakeholders in GPE partner countries. As he put it, “CUE is grateful to be part of the broader KIX ecosystem, working to advance the shared goal of strengthening education systems and ensuring all children and youth have access to quality education and learning opportunities.”
Tricia Wind, KIX project leader at IDRC, noted the importance of ROSIE in advancing knowledge about scaling the impact of education innovations in GPE partner countries: “Exploring scaling impact as a research topic is part of KIX commitment to helping education systems make best use of evidence-based innovation. Rather than stopping at proving something that works, KIX research starts with innovations that already have evidence behind them and builds further evidence on how their impact can be scaled. We are very pleased to be able to continue to work with CUE on ROSIE.”
Through ongoing support to KIX applied research projects, research on scaling, and even deeper connections with decisionmakers, the extension will allow KIX, through its ROSIE partnership with CUE, to continue to surface insights and generate knowledge products to guide researchers and decisionmakers in how to scale innovation in education. ROSIE will continue to be a key part of KIX’ approach to supporting stronger, more inclusive education systems in GPE partner countries.
