Viewpoints Vol. 11
Improving Student Achievement and Teacher Effectiveness Through Scientifically Based Practices
Introduction
Viewpoints is a multimedia package containing two audio CDs and a short, informative booklet. This volume of Viewpoints focuses on using scientifically based practices to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness. The audio CDs provide the voices, or viewpoints, of various leaders from the education field who have worked closely with scientifically based research initiatives. Their voices represent perspectives on the elements of scientifically based research in education and provide a general overview of the movement. This booklet presents information about the recent increased emphasis on using scientifically based research to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness. It explains new vocabulary, discusses research challenges, and describes how scientifically based research can be turned into effective practice. The booklet also provides an overview of the What Works Clearinghouse and offers resources and tools for using data to make decisions in schools.The Issue
Teachers and administrators alike are challenged by the No Child Left Behind legislation to incorporate scientifically based research into their decision making for programs and practices that will improve student achievement. Education researchers also are challenged to produce studies that are faithful to scientifically based principles. Now more than ever, practitioners and researchers need to link their efforts to address student learning. Finding new opportunities for educators, policymakers, and researchers to work together on behalf of schools affected by the new legislation is a challenge, and it instills hope that scientifically based research will provide better direction and evidence that student achievement can improve.
The Booklet: A Guide to Contents
The essay "The Challenge and Hope of Scientifically Based Research" serves as a companion to the CDs. This essay outlines the elements of scientifically based research and some of the challenges educators face in its implementation. There are guides to understanding the levels of research and resources to investigate the topic further. You may find it helpful to read the booklet as an introduction to the topic before listening to the interviews presented on the CDs.
