97 https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X20907362 Review of Research in Education March 2020, Vol. 44, pp. 97–129 DOI: 10.3102/0091732X20907362 Chapter reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions © 2020 AERA. http://rre.aera.net Chapter 4 Geospatial Analysis: A New Window Into Educational Equity, Access, and Opportunity CASEY D. COBB University of Connecticut A robust body of geographic education policy research has been amassing over the past 25 years, as researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds have recognized the value of examining education phenomena from a spatial perspective. In this chapter, I synthesize 42 studies that examine education issues using a geographic information system, or GIS. The review is framed by the major thread that runs through this body of research: educational equity, access, and opportunity. I summarize the research within seven theme- based research topics and offer examples of geospatial analysis as applied to education. The chapter includes a discussion of the major barriers and limitation facing GIS researchers and offers thoughts about the future. A robust body of “geographic” education policy research has been amassing over the past 25 years. Researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds have persistently highlighted the value of examining education phenomena from a spa- tial perspective (Bruno, 1996; Cobb, 2003; Gulson & Symes, 2007; Holloway et al., 2010; Kelly, 2019; Lubienski & Dougherty, 2009; Misra et al., 2012; Tate, 2008; Taylor, 2007). Advances in software packages have undoubtedly contributed to the field’s emergence—namely, the growing use of “geographic information sys- tems,” or GIS. In this chapter, I review over two decades of education policy research that ana- lyzes data using a GIS. The vast majority of geospatial studies in education directly examine issues of educational equity, access, or opportunity. I summarize the research within theme-based research topics, expound on the geospatial questions that drive this research, and offer examples of geospatial analysis as applied to education. 907362RRE XX X 10.3102/0091732X20907362Review of Research in EducationCobb: Spatial Equity research-article 2020