About

ERA•NOVA Mission

The Educational Research Alliance of Northern Virginia at George Mason University (ERA-NOVA) is an innovative partnership between the George Mason University College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) researchers and K-12 school districts and stakeholders in Northern Virginia (NOVA) to collaboratively address the pressing educational challenges in the region. By uniting diverse voices and shared commitment to academic success and positive impact on quality of life, the collaborative aims to drive systemic change across the region.

ERA-NOVA’s efforts focus on aligning stakeholders toward common goals and implementing evidenced-based interventions that address the unique challenges faced by students, educators, and families in the NOVA region. A key pillar of the partnership is knowledge sharing, which promotes the dissemination of valuable insights, research findings, and best practices across the education community. Through the creation of knowledge products such as research briefs, policy guides, and toolkits, ERA-NOVA ensures that all stakeholders have access to the latest actionable data and strategies to inform decision-making and drive improvements in educational outcomes.

Additionally, the partnership emphases professional development, offering a wide array of opportunities for growth. These initiatives empower educators and leaders to continuously refine their skills, adopt innovative practices and stay at the forefront of educational excellence. The action research component further strengthens this effort by engaging educators and researchers in collaborative inquiry through pilot studies, program evaluations, and classroom-based research, ensuring that interventions are both practical and evidence-based.

By fostering a culture of collaboration and ongoing learning, ERA-NOVA not only addresses immediate educational challenges but also strengthens the capacity of the entire education system to create lasting change.

Partnership School Divisions