Who we are
Our team brings together teachers and professors educated at the world’s leading universities, united by a commitment to next-generation learning and development.
DFE Research Center
for Next-Generation
Education & Development
Empowering the Next Generation
Through World-Class Education.
About us
What we study
We examine learning, motivation, agency, leadership, mental health, family education, and the environments that shape development.
What we do
We translate advanced research and proven practice into assessments, growth plans, programs, and resources people can use.
Our vision
To make world-class, AI-era-ready education more accessible—and help the next generation flourish in learning, work, and life.
Established on the UC Berkeley Campus Since 2017.
Rooted in research, driven by collaboration, and dedicated to turning knowledge into lasting impact for children, families, schools, and communities worldwide.
Why DFE
Why Children’s
Development Matters
Children’s long-term outcomes are shaped by far more than academic achievement alone.
Motivation, emotional well-being, family relationships, learning habits, health, and life experiences all contribute to future success.
As artificial intelligence transforms society, the ability to learn, adapt, and thrive matters more than ever.
The New Standard for Future-Ready Development
Traditional education
Focus on academic achievementKnowledge acquisition
Standardized testing
Short-term results
DFE whole-child development
Focus on lifelong growth and well-beingCognitive development
Emotional well-being
Social skills
Motivation & self-regulation
Health & habits
Future-ready competencies
A Smarter Framework for Raising Future-Ready Children
| Dimension | Traditional EducationAcademics first—falling behind the AI era | DFE Growth SystemAcademics + core capabilities for the AI era |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Learning first, short-term performanceScores and test-taking ability | Growth first, long-term developmentWhole-person growth, core capabilities, career foresight, and lifelong benefit |
| Growth perspective | Fragmented and problem-drivenPotential challenges are hard to anticipate; action begins after problems appear | Systematic and development-ledScientific assessment, integrated planning, continuous tracking, and prevention |
| Family role | Parent-led, child passiveArranging and supervising can increase dependence and family tension | Parents empower, children take ownershipStronger autonomy, intrinsic motivation, and closer parent-child relationships |
| Development method | Fragmented information, limited validationOnline advice, commercial books, and trial-and-error approaches | Evidence-based methods with proven practiceLeading global curricula and experience from world-class education experts |
| Time horizon | Short-term gains and quick winsStage-based results that can encourage premature growth | Long-term, sustained growthDevelopmental priorities aligned scientifically to every age and stage |
| Outcome | Scores and admissionsLimited preparation for rapid change in the AI era | Future-ready core competitivenessAdaptability, career readiness, meaningful achievement, and well-being |