Evidence-Based Reform in Education: What Will it Take?

Abstract

If education is to make significant progress in the twenty-first century, it must embrace evidence-based reforms. Perhaps the most important requirement for evidence-based reform is the development of a substantial set of replicable programs and practices with strong evidence of effectiveness. Educators and policy makers must have a variety of programs they can choose among with confidence. This means that governments must fund a wide range of research and development projects designed to create innovations capable of significantly improving the outcomes of education at all levels and in all subjects. Educators and policy makers need to have scientifically valid, fair, and clearly written summaries of the strength of the research evidence showing the effectiveness of education programs. Also, governments should provide incentives to use programs that have been proven to be effective. One mechanism would be to provide additional rating points in grants for schools or districts applying to use proven programs. The consequences of evidence-based reform are briefly discussed. (Contains 1 note.) ABSTRACT AUTHORS: ERIC.