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Meta-findings from the Best Evidence Encyclopaedia. Robert E Slavin University of York and Johns Hopkins University. Best Evidence encyclopaedia (BEE). Intended to provide easily accessible, scientifically valid summaries of the evidence base for educational programmes
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Meta-findings from the Best Evidence Encyclopaedia Robert E Slavin University of York and Johns Hopkins University
Best Evidence encyclopaedia (BEE) • Intended to provide easily accessible, scientifically valid summaries of the evidence base for educational programmes • Educator’s summary – like Consumer’s Reports • Full reports written for publication in academic journals
BEE Inclusion Standards • Programmes compared to control group • Random or matched • Control group within + .5 SD of experimental group at pretest • Posttests adjusted for pretests • Measures are not inherent to treatment • Duration at least 12 weeks
Main BEE Reviews • Primary Maths – RER, 2008 • Secondary Maths – RER, 2009 • Primary Reading – RER, 2009 • Secondary Reading – RRQ, 2008 • Struggling Readers – Educational Research Review, in press
Meta-findings: Substantive • Textbooks: ES = +0.06 IN 77 studies • Technology, CAI: ES = +0.11 in 130 studies • Instructional process approaches: • Strongest effects in every review. ES = +0.27 in 100 studies • Co-operative learning, PALS • Classroom management, motivation • Metacognitive skills • Combined Curriculum/CAI with Instructional Process: ES= +0.26 in 39 studies -Read 180 -Success for All
Table 1: Weighted Mean Effect Sizes by Programme Category CurriculaCAIInstructionalCurr/CAI + ProcessIP Maths - Primary +0.10 (13) +0.19 (38) +0.33 (36) - Maths - Secondary +0.03 (40) +0.08 (40) +0.18 (22) - Reading - Beginning +0.13 (8) +0.11 (10) +0.31 (18) +0.28 (22) Reading - Upper Primary +0.07 (16) +0.06 (34) +0.23 (10) +0.29 (6) Reading - Secondary - +0.10 (8) +0.21 (14) +0.22 (11) Weighted Mean +0.06 (77) +0.11 (130) +0.27 (100) +0.26 (39)
Meta-findings Specific to Reading • Programmes that emphasize structured, systematic phonics get better outcomes • But, outcomes of phonetic approaches depend on quality of teaching • Simple adoption of phonetic books ineffective • Effective programmes use extensive training in co-operative learning and other motivation and management methods
Meta-findings - Methodological • Randomised and matched studies find nearly identical outcomes • Small studies overstate outcomes (so the BEE weights by sample size) • Measures inherent to treatments greatly overstate outcomes (so the BEE excludes them) • Very brief studies overstate outcomes (so the BEE excludes them)
Importance of Phonics • Almost all successful programmes emphasize structured, systematic phonics • One-to-one tutoring by teachers • Programmes focused on phonics: ES=+0.69 (10) • Programmes less focused on phonics: ES=+0.23 (9) • Within-study comparisons favour phonics in 1-1 • Difference: ES=+0.18 (5) • But, adopting phonetic texts, software, or professional development is not sufficient
Teachers vs. Teaching Assistants • Children tutored with phonetic programmes by qualified teachers gain somewhat more than those tutored by teaching assistants and volunteers. • Teacher tutors: ES=+0.69 (10) • TA/volunteer tutors: ES=+0.24 (18)
One-to-One vs. Small Group • Children taught phonetic programmes one-to-one gain much more • Teacher tutors: ES=+0.69 (10) • TA/volunteer tutors: ES=+0.24 (18) • Small groups: ES=+0.31 (18)
Classroom Approaches vs. Pullout • Classroom instructional process programmes work as well as 1-1 tutoring • Classroom instructional process: ES=+0.56 (16) • Phonetic tutoring by teachers: ES=+0.69 (10) • Combination of initial tutoring plus classroom process works best • Success for All: ES=+0.55 (9)
Conclusion • Education policies should identify and help disseminate proven programmes of all kinds. • Well- specified programmes with extensive professional development to help teachers engage and motivate children are most likely to produce positive outcomes. • Practical, consistent, scientific reviews of research can help educators make good choices for pupils.
For more information visit: www.bestevidence.org.uk