READING
Using evidence for policy
Some people say that the
answer is to take politics and
ideology out of it. I would
not subscribe to that view.
Education is about more than
the here and now. It is about
the transmission of knowledge
from one generation to another
and it is also about the type of
society we want to be
we bring together the teaching of skills This calls for a political culture very have a political culture that accommodates
and the learning of knowledge, and how different from the one we have now. evidence and that invests in research and
we link with the home that will drive the Politicians feel very vulnerable to the media development to give educators as well as
improvements in education. If politicians charge of “u-turns” if they change their minds politicians the information they need to
put higher standards for more children yet, if decisions are based on the most up-to- make wise decisions for children.
at the top of what they would want to date and rigorous evidence, it will mean that
achieve, these are the issues that need politicians should refl ect this in their policies. About the author
to be addressed and they are bound to In health, it seems easier to accept that Estelle Morris is chair of the Strategy Board
get involved in decisions that affect what research will push forward the barriers of the Institute for Effective Education at
happens in the classroom. of knowledge and practice, and that this the University of York. She was previously
But this shift should make us think. These will infl uence and effect policy. If political the Secretary of State for the Department
decisions most defi nitely need to be based on decisions in education are going to continue for Education and Skills and was appointed
evidence and not ideology. They will affect a to be about teaching and learning they must to the House of Lords after the May 2005
teacher’s professional freedom and autonomy. become more evidence-based. We must election.
spring 2009 Better: Evidence-based Education 23
Better Spr09 pp22-23 Policy.indd 23 20/4/09 09:20:15
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