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Evidence-Based Reform in Education. Robert E. Slavin University of York -and- Johns Hopkins University. The Problem:. Not lack of knowledge about how children learn Lack of knowledge about how to help teachers apply research-proven methods. Analogy to medicine.
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Evidence-Based Reform in Education Robert E. Slavin University of York -and- Johns Hopkins University
The Problem: • Not lack of knowledge about how children learn • Lack of knowledge about how to help teachers apply research-proven methods
Analogy to medicine • Importance of sterile procedures demonstrated by Lister, 1860 • Hand washing still an issue today • Checklists: Helping physicians use proven practices • Cut infection rates 66%, saved 1500 lives in 18 months
Vision of Education, 2018 • Teachers using proven programmes • Active involvement in choosing programmes • 80% vote of staff • Government supports creation, adoption, dissemination of proven programmes • Incentive funding to schools using proven programmes • Constant development and evaluation of new models
Evidence-Based Reform in Education • Use what works • Modelled on medicine, agriculture, engineering • Improve practice today • Create dynamic of progressive improvement
Stop the pendulum, I want to get off • Fields lacking respect for evidence innovate by taste, not research • Fashion • Art • Education • Innovation in Education • Word of mouth • Tradition • Politics • Marketing This must change
Requirements for Evidence-Based Reform • Proven programmes in every subject and year level • Evaluated in rigorous experiments • Systematic reviews of research - Trusted, impartial, valid - Educator friendly • Policies to promote use of proven programmes
Research Base for Effective Programmes • Randomised, matched evaluations of replicable programmes • Strong tradition of experimental study in the US, other countries
US Example: Comprehensive School Reform • Development in early 1990’s • Evaluation • Scale-up • Funding for adoption of CSR models
Building Research Base in the UK • Funding, encouragement essential • Evaluate existing UK programmes • Creating new programmes • Design competitions • Import and evaluate non-UK programmes
Reviewing What Works • UK: EPPI • US: What Works Clearinghouse • US & UK: Best Evidence Encyclopaedia
Primary Mathematics Programme Ratings • Strong Evidence of EffectivenessClasswide Peer Tutoring (IP)Missouri Mathematics Program (IP) Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS/IP) Student Teams-Achievement Divisions (IP)TAI Math (IP/MC) • Moderate Evidence of EffectivenessClassworks (CAI) Cognitively Guided Instruction (IP)Connecting Maths Concepts (IP/MC)Consistency Management & Cooperative Discipline (IP)Project SEED (IP)Small-Group Tutoring (IP)
Evidence-based policies • US: Comprehensive School Reform • US: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) • Lesson: Be clear about proven programmes
Expanding Use of Proven Programmes in the UK • Expand development & evaluation of promising programmes • Grants to schools to adopt proven programmes • Encouragement, support for use of proven programmes • OFSTED • TDA • Other agencies
Evidence-Based Reform Consequences • Improved practices • Expanded R&D from all sources • Winners: • Children • Teachers • Publishers, software companies • Society at large