Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida Records

Established in 2002 by Allen and Delores Lastinger, the University of Florida (UF) Lastinger Center for Learning is a responsive innovation hub dedicated to transforming educational systems and structures by engaging in translational research to drive decision making, inform policy, and improve systems within Florida and across the nation. The Lastinger Center is a unique asset to Florida, serving as the only applied early learning to postsecondary education innovation center in a state university. Lastinger Center associates are educators with content and practice expertise, enabling us to deliver research-based instruction to students and educators. The Lastinger Center capitalizes on the high caliber of university faculty by working across disciplines and colleges to bring a further depth of expertise to innovations that support talent development and to grow the knowledge base on successful educational interventions through applied research.

Since its founding, the Lastinger Center has blended academic research with practice, making meaningful improvements in education and student learning. Historically, the organization has championed the effort to track academic success via critical developmental milestones, including kindergarten readiness, 3rd-grade reading proficiency, and mastery of algebra skills. Dedication and innovative responsiveness to these key milestones rapidly moved the Lastinger Center from a lean start-up to a state and national education innovator.

From the About Us section of the Lastinger Center's 2020 Annual Report.