Evidence-Based Education Policies: Transforming Educational Practice and Research

TLDR

Educational research is entering a new era where randomized experiments, proven transformative in other fields, are beginning to shape policy, underscoring the need for rigorous evidence to provide the best programs for children. The article examines the promise and pitfalls of using randomized and rigorously matched experiments to inform educational policy, while noting the need for additional funding and complementary correlational and descriptive research. The authors conclude that rigorous experiments evaluating replicable programs are essential to build confidence in educational research among policymakers and educators.

Abstract

At the dawn of the 21st century, educational research is finally entering the 20th century. The use of randomized experiments that transformed medicine, agriculture, and technology in the 20th century is now beginning to affect educational policy. This article discusses the promise and pitfalls of randomized and rigorously matched experiments as a basis for policy and practice in education. It concludes that a focus on rigorous experiments evaluating replicable programs and practices is essential to build confidence in educational research among policymakers and educators. However, new funding is needed for such experiments and there is still a need for correlational, descriptive, and other disciplined inquiry in education. Our children deserve the best educational programs, based on the most rigorous evidence we can provide.