READING
Programmes that work
The time is right
Jonathan Sharples and Jonathan Haslam consider
forming a coalition for evidence-based
reform, which aims to forge a better link
the importance of bringing evidence to bear on
between research on what works and what
education policy and practice
happens in the classroom.
There are a number of elements needed
to make this happen, and it will take time to
ACROSS THE POLITICAL DIVIDE there is now get them all in place.
“We are committed to a strong consensus that evidence should
evidence-based policy making.” be used as the basis for what is practised in Researching the right things
Analysis and Evidence Strategy,
schools. Firstly, it is important that more research is
DCSF, May 2008
The time seems right to build on this directed at fi nding out what works. There is
consensus and move forward with an a rich body of education research in the UK,
approach that sees good evidence brought using a variety of approaches and methods.
to bear on the programmes and practices There is an even larger body of research that
“I’d like to see ideology taken
that are used in schools. is relevant to the UK but has been done in
out of education policy and
The Institute for Effective Education is other countries. It is clearly important that
replaced with what works.”
committed to making policy more evidence- new research does not merely duplicate
Nick Gibb, based, but we are only one of many what has already been done, but instead
Shadow Education Minister, April 2006 organisations around the country that are builds on existing knowledge. To do this, it
striving for this goal. This year we will begin is important that there are strong systematic
20 Better: Evidence-based Education spring 2009
Better Spr09 pp20-21 Committed.indd 20 20/4/09 09:19:37
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