Clemson Professor Wins National Book Award for Educator Preparation

Brandi Nicole Hinnant-Crawford recognized for second edition of "Improvement Science in Education: A Primer"

Mar. 1, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Brandi Nicole Hinnant-Crawford, an associate professor of educational leadership at Clemson University, has been awarded the 2026 Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education for the second edition of her book "Improvement Science in Education: A Primer." The book discusses the methodology of improvement science, centering equity and justice as the purpose for continuous improvement.

Why it matters

Dr. Hinnant-Crawford's research seeks to expose policies and practices related to exploitation, domination, and marginalization in education, while exploring remedies to alleviate their impact. This award recognizes her significant contributions to the knowledge base of educator preparation, which is crucial for improving equity and access in P-16 education.

The details

Through her book, Dr. Hinnant-Crawford aims to help educators and policymakers understand and apply the principles of improvement science, which focuses on continuous learning and iterative problem-solving to address complex educational challenges. The second edition of "Improvement Science in Education" was released in 2025 and builds on her previous work in the field.

  • Dr. Hinnant-Crawford received the 2026 Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award on February 20, 2026.

The players

Brandi Nicole Hinnant-Crawford

An associate professor of educational leadership at Clemson University in South Carolina, Dr. Hinnant-Crawford is the author of the award-winning book "Improvement Science in Education: A Primer." Her research focuses on equity, inclusion, and access in P-16 education, as well as organizational improvement.

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

A national organization that represents deans, college and university-based teacher preparation programs, and individuals committed to the preparation of teachers. The association presents the annual Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award to recognize significant contributions to the knowledge base of educator preparation.

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What’s next

Dr. Hinnant-Crawford's award-winning book is expected to have a significant impact on the field of educator preparation, as it provides a framework for using improvement science to address complex educational challenges and promote equity and justice.

The takeaway

This award recognizes Dr. Hinnant-Crawford's commitment to using research and evidence-based practices to improve education, particularly for marginalized communities. Her work serves as a model for how educators and policymakers can work to create more equitable and inclusive educational systems.