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IEE resources

Better: Evidence-based Education: The magazine that explores what really works in the classroom

Best Evidence Encyclopaedia: The website that shows the strength of evidence supporting educational programmes

 

Working with schools

Working with schools is an essential part of the work of the IEE. All too often, research isn’t properly shared beyond universities. However, we are trying to make education research, including our own findings, more accessible to teachers.

We know that many children do not reach their potential in school, and this is particularly true of those from underprivileged backgrounds. Much of our research focuses on improving the attainment, aspirations, confidence, and behaviour of these pupils, and we need to work closely with schools to understand the issues and challenges they face.

We are working with schools in the following ways:

Research projects

We have enrolled the help of schools across the country to take part in a range of research projects. This includes schools that are piloting new programmes and practices, and also ‘control’ schools against which we compare the results. You can find out more about our current research here.

School case study: St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Keighley

Helping schools to use evidence

The IEE is currently working with a small group of schools in our region, helping them with how they might select and use evidence-based programmes. The project, which is called YIPI (Yorkshire Informed Practice Initiative), has included putting together a directory of recommended programmes and practices. If the project is a success, a larger pilot study will take place.

School case study: Pannal Primary School, Harrogate

Building relationships throughout education

We aren’t working with schools in isolation, but with a range of other organisations as well. For example, we have led the formation of the Coalition for Evidence-based Education, or CEBE. This is an alliance of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers who are interested in improving the way research evidence is used and exchanged.

We have also recently been appointed as a member of an Advisory Partnership for a new initiative from the Mayor’s Fund for London, Flying Start for London. The project aims to work with the 80 lowest performing primaries in seven of the poorest boroughs in the city, to improve pupils' social, language, and literacy outcomes. Other partners in this scheme include Save the Children, Barnardos, and the Sutton Trust.

Last Updated: July 12, 2011 | Webmaster, iee

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