About Georgia Policy Labs

About Us

Using Data to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families

The Georgia Policy Labs (GPL) is a collaboration between Georgia State University and a variety of government agencies to promote evidence-based policy development. GPL works to create an environment where policymakers have the information and tools available to improve the effectiveness of existing government policies and programs, try out new ideas for addressing pressing issues, and decide what new initiatives are promising enough to scale up. The ultimate goal is to help government entities use scarce resources more effectively and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Our History

The Georgia Policy Labs launched in 2017 with two education-focused policy labs: MAPLE (Metro Atlanta Policy Lab for Education) and CTEx (Career & Technical Education Policy Exchange). MAPLE focuses on K-12 education and partners with five of the six large school districts in the Atlanta metro area. CTEx partners with state departments of education in three states to address issues in high-school based career and technical education.

In 2019, we drew on existing relationships between the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and state agencies to launch the Child & Family Policy Lab. The Child & Family Policy Lab examines programs and policies that touch the lives of Georgia’s children and families across agency boundaries, such as education, safety, and economic mobility.

More About Our Labs

Metro Atlanta Policy Lab for Education

MAPLE partners with five of the six largest school districts in the Atlanta metro area that collectively educate 30 percent of all Georgia’s public school students.

Child & Family Policy Lab

Increasing the safety, education, and economic stability of Georgia’s at-risk children & families through rigorous research and long-term partnerships with state agencies.

Student learning as part of a CTE pathway that CTEx researchers study

Career & Technical Education Policy Exchange

CTEx is a multi-state policy lab dedicated to improving the quality of high school Career and Technical Education programs in the US. We work side-by-side with state and local partners to develop data-driven policy recommendations ensuring all students are ready for both college and career.