Download - WWC Presentation at LDA Conference
Joshua Furgeson, Ph.D.Mathematica Policy Research
Deputy Principal Investigator, What Works Clearinghouse Students with Learning Disabilities topic area
Linking Research to the Classroom: Making Connections for Students with Learning Disabilities
The What Works Clearinghouse
What is it?
2
Initiative of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
Evaluates educational interventions—programs, products, practices, or policies aimed at improving student outcomes
Issues reports that help educators make choices using “scientifically-based” research– No Child Left Behind– Education Sciences Reform Act
ALL REPORTS ARE FREE
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
3
Central and trusted source of scientific evidence for what works in education– Develops and implements standards for reviewing
and synthesizing education research (rigorous)– Assesses the research evidence on the effectiveness
of interventions (transparent and replicable)– Publishes research summaries for teachers, administrators,
and policymakers (user-friendly)
The WWC mission
4
5
The What Works Clearinghouse
Identifying Effective Interventions
Identifying effective interventions
6
Too much information– Hundreds of interventions– Tens of thousands of empirical studies
Research background needed to identify compelling research– Complicated research methods and statistical analyses– Results can conflict
IES created the WWC to help educators identify the interventions that actually work
Outcomes can be deceiving
7
What would have happened without the program?
8
WWC review process identifies quality research
9
Comprehensive literature search to identify all relevant studies that examine the intervention
Trained screener examines each study and checks that the study has a strong causal design
Two certified reviewers determine whether the study meets WWC evidence standards set by expert panel
Summarize all studies that meet standards in one report
Internal quality review (senior WWC staff) and external IES peer review (outside expert)
10
The What Works ClearinghouseWebsite
Identify effective educational interventions
Evaluate current programs, policies and practices
Inform professional development
Recommend effective programs, practices and policies to colleagues and school leaders
Organize meetings with colleagues
Use the WWC website to:
11
http://www.whatworks.ed.gov
12
13
The What Works Clearinghouse
What publications are available?
Intervention Reports
14
An intervention report is a summary of findings of the most reliable research on a given curriculum, program, practice, or policy in education
Process– Prioritize interventions for review– Conduct a comprehensive literature search– Review each study against WWC standards– Only summarize the findings from the well-designed studies
Intervention: a curriculum, program, practice, or policy designed to improve student outcomes
Example: Read Naturally® by Students with LD
15
171 studies and articles identified
43 studies of effectiveness
1 study met standards
One
report
WWC website: Read Naturally® report
16
Rating of effectiveness
Magnitude of effect (improvement index)
Extent of evidence
… or lack of evidence!
The bottom line: Summarizing the evidence
17
Current topic areas
18
Adolescent LiteracyAutismBeginning ReadingCharacter EducationChildren Classified as Having an Emotional DisturbanceDropout PreventionEarly Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education for Children with DisabilitiesElementary School MathEnglish Language LearnersHigh School MathMiddle School MathScienceStudents with Intellectual DisabilitiesStudents with Learning Disabilities
Practice Guides
19
A practice guide is a set of recommendations for educators to address challenges in their classrooms and schools
Process– Expert panel develops recommendations– Conduct a comprehensive literature search– Review each study against WWC standards– Summarize the review
The level of research evidence supporting each recommendation is provided– Minimal, moderate, or strong
Recommendation: “Provide intensive, systematic instruction on up to three foundational reading skills in small groups to students who score below the benchmark on universal screening.”
Level of Evidence: Strong Guidance on How to Implement Recommendation:
“Implement this program three to five times a week, for approximately 20 to 40 minutes.”
Roadblock: Aligning the tier 2 intervention program with the core program. Suggested Approach: Alignment is not as critical as ensuring that instruction is systematic and explicit and focuses on the priority reading components.
Example: RtI Reading Guide Recommendation #3
20
Practice Guide Topics
21
Science and Math:• Response to Intervention: Math
• Mathematical Problem Solving
• Encouraging Girls in Math and Science
• Teaching Fractions
School Improvement:• Turning Around Low Performing
Schools
• Dropout Prevention
• Reducing Behavior Problems in Elementary Schools
• Organizing Instruction and Study
Literacy:• Response to Intervention: Reading
• Improving Adolescent Literacy
• Effective Literacy Instruction for ELL Students
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
Quick Reviews & Single Study Reviews
22
A quick review is a timely and objective assessment of recent research that is reported in a major national news source– Identify recent research with media mentions– Provide quick summary and rating in less than two weeks
A single study review is an objective assessment of an individual research study– Review the study against WWC standards– Summarize the evidence
Available on the WWC website
23
Total of 211 intervention reports 26 intervention reports under the youth and children
with disabilities topic areas (Students with Learning Disabilities, Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities, Children Classified as Having an Emotional Disturbance)
16 practice guides 76 quick reviews 22 single study reviews
http://www.whatworks.ed.gov
24