Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning

  • CASTL
  • Research Center

What We Do

Founded in 2006, CASTL is an interdisciplinary research center that aims to advance the quality of teaching and learning, from infancy to higher education. Our research initiatives span the globe and our faculty are leading the way to promote meaningful changes in education. 

Our Mission

We believe effective teaching and learning are the foundation for opportunity, success and well-being. Our mission is to advance the quality and impact of teaching through scientific study in educational settings from infancy to higher education. 

Our Goal

Our goal is to meaningfully transform education by 1) developing evidence-based theories of effective teaching and learning via large, longitudinal studies of diverse classrooms around the world; 2) creating, evaluating and disseminating tools for measuring and improving teaching and learning; 3) Developing innovative support systems that develop useful knowledge and skills via cutting-edge applications of technology. 

Infant, Toddler & PreK Projects

Elementary & Secondary Projects

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Related Labs

  • MOTIVATE
  • Research Lab

Motivate Lab

The Motivate Lab is driven to improve people’s lives through rigorous motivation research and to understand the mindsets that promote learning, growth, and well-being.

  • Research Lab

UVA Social Development Lab

The UVA Social Development Lab, directed by Sara Rimm-Kaufman, addresses pressing questions in education science from an interdisciplinary perspective. Learn more at our full website.

UVA Social Development Lab

  • FOCAL
  • Research Lab

Foundations of Cognitive Learning Lab

The FOCAL Lab studies the cognitive processes that underpin learning throughout the school years. The cognitive foundations that are central to our studies include motivation, executive function and self-regulation, sensorimotor and visuospatial processing, phonological skills, and general knowledge of the world. 

  • RADR
  • Research Lab

Reading and Academic Development Research Group

The Reading and Academic Development Research Group examines reading and related areas of academic development across different groups of school-age children. Broadly, the research focuses on meeting the diverse instructional needs of students from specific backgrounds by identifying reading and writing difficulties and developing effective instructional approaches. 

  • REAL
  • Research Lab

Research in Education and Learning Lab

The Research in Education and Learning Lab at UVA, directed by Jamie Jirout, focuses on questions related to STEM learning and motivation from a cognitive developmental perspective. 

Visit the Full REAL Lab website.

  • VPPC
  • Research Lab

Virginia Policy Partnership Collaborative

The Virginia Policy Partnership Collaborative is an effort aimed at connecting researchers and students at the University of Virginia with education policymakers to address pressing education problems in the Commonwealth through careful research. 

CASTL News

New CASTL Research

Contact Us

Office Location

  • Ridley Hall, Room 221

Mailing Address

  • 405 Emmet Street South
    Charlottesville, VA