Understanding Scientifically Based Research

View a webcast on scientifically based research to learn more about what this means for you as a district or site administrator, decision maker or someone who seeks external resources and programs for schools.

Presenters

Nikola Filby (Primary)

Senior Program Director
WestEd

Description

What's the best curriculum to teach math to my middle schoolers? Is there any evidence that peer tutoring really works? Educators have a right to expect research to answer basic questions such as these. Conversely, both educators and researchers know that the reality behind questions like these is complicated. What works for one student may not work as well for another. Teachers differ, too, and factors like professional development and school context affect what teachers are able to do effectively. To make sound investments, teachers need research that provides guidance on best bets as well as identifying ideas that on the surface look good but may not work as well as advertised.

Under the No Child Left Behind act, the federal government seeks to meet this need by requiring the use of scientifically based research to justify the choice of federally funded instructional programs. This requirement, and federal policies and programs that go along with it, places pressure on all parties:

• program developers need to conduct stronger evaluations;
  
• researchers need to increase the rigor of their methods;
  
• educators need to become more critical consumers, empowered to ask for evidence and able to sort out research claims; and
  
• the federal government must provide guidance and support to all parties and make quality research and research reviews more accessible.

View a webcast on scientifically based research to learn more about what this means for you as a district or site administrator, decision maker or someone who seeks external resources and programs for schools.

The webcast will address three key questions:

• What is scientifically based research?
  
• Why is scientifically based research important?
  
• How do schools use scientifically based research?

WestEd's Nikola Filby will present this webcast. With a doctorate in education from Stanford University, Filby has spent 30 years conducting research, consulting on and guiding school improvement projects, and translating research results for broad accessibility and use.

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