Education Research and Policy
Education Research and Policy plays an important role in shaping perceptions and directions on every aspect of schools and school reform issues. It is important for educators to be familiar with the relationship and influences between education policy and education research, and be aware of the mission and funding support for organizations that produce policy papers and research. The research and policy conversations often lead directly to upcoming reform practices for schools.
Education policy refers to the collection of laws and rules that govern the operation of education systems. Education policy analysis is the scholarly study of education policy. It seeks to answer questions about the purpose of education, the objectives (societal and personal) that it is designed to attain, the methods for attaining them and the tools for measuring their success or failure. Research intended to inform education policy is carried out by a wide variety of policy organizations, institutions of higher education, and federal/state departments. Education policy and research occurs in many academic disciplines. such as Psychology, Economics, Sociology and Human Development in addition to scholars with expertise in Teacher Education and Curriculum/Instruction.
Education research is to explain, predict, and/or control educational phenomena.
An education research plan involves:
- Selection and definition of a problem - a problem, hypothesis or question.
- Execution of research procedures - how data are collected and from whom.
- Analysis of data - may involve statistics and testing of the research hypothesis or coding of qualitative measures.
- Drawing or stating conclusions.
- Suggesting needed additional research
Here are some common themes in education research and policy discourse:
Quantitative and/or qualitative research. Quantitative studies collect data and analyze it using numerical procedures, typically a statistical analysis. Qualitative studies collect and analyze narrative data, such as case studies, discourse analysis, and critical theory. In some cases, researchers will draw upon both methods to provide more detailed findings.
Basic and/or Applied Research. Basic research is primarily concerned with the development of theory and knowledge to provide a foundation for applied research. Applied research is generally concerned with the application of theory to the solution of problems. There are three types of applied research.
- Evaluation Research. Evaluation research is the systematic process of gathering data and using the analysis information to make decisions of educational relevance.
- Research and Development (R & D) has the major function of developing effective products for use in the school.
- Action Research - Often involving researchers within the location of study, action research is to solve practical problems through the application of research.
The following sites represent a broad range of organizations offering research, policy and reports which teachers will find of interest. You can also check out the Communications Link (above) to access many Blogs which offer commentary and opinion on the work of these organizations.
Education Policy and Research Links
- American Education Research Association
- American Council of Trustees and Alumni
- Aspen Institute
- American Enterprise Institute
- British Educational Research Association
- Brookings Institution Brown Center on Education
- Canadian Society for the Study of Education
- Cato Institute
- Center of the American Experiment
- Commonwealth Foundation
- Competitive Enterprise Institute
- Center for American Progress
- Democratic Leadership Council
- Democrats For Education Reform
- Education Sector
- Educational Research Service
- Empire Center for New York State Policy
- Institute of Education Sciences (U.S. Department of Education)
- Freedom Works
- Heritage Foundation
- Hudson Institute
- Manhattan Institute
- Mass Insight
- National Foundation for Educational Research (UK)
- New Teacher Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz
- Project for the New American Century
- Progressive Policy Institute
- State Policy Network
- Sutherland Institute
- Tennessee Center for Policy Research
- Thomas B. Fordham Foundation Institute
- Texas Public Policy Foundation
- Thomas Jefferson Institute
- Virginia Institute for Public Policy
- Washington Policy Center
- Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education
- Wisconsin Center for Education Research
Education News and Analysis
U.S. Department of Education
About the Institute of Education Sciences
The mission of IES is to provide rigorous evidence on which to ground education practice and policy. By identifying what works, what doesn’t, and why, we intend to improve the outcomes of education for all students, particularly those at risk of failure.
The Institute funds hundreds of research studies on ways to improve academic achievement, conducts large-scale evaluations of federal education programs and reports a wide array of statistics on the condition of education such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress. We support the building of an infrastructure for evidence-based education through activities such as grants to states to develop longitudinal data systems. We disseminate evidence on education to the public and practitioners through the What Works Clearinghouse and the ERIC education database, conferences, publications and products and 10 regional education laboratories and 10 national research and development centers.
By law and by culture our activities are free of partisan political influence. We operate with the oversight and counsel of the National Board for Education Sciences. Click on the links below to access the most recent research of the work of its four centers.
CENTERS & PROGRAMS
National Center for Education Research (NCER)
Supports rigorous, scientifically based research that is intended to improve student outcomes and the quality of education in the U.S. through its research initiatives and the national research and development centers.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Is the primary federal provider of statistics on the condition of education at preschool, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult levels, including education data from other nations.
National Center for Education Evaluation & Regional Assistance (NCEE)
Conducts rigorous evaluations of the impact of federal programs, synthesizing and disseminating information from evaluation & research, and providing technical assistance to improve student achievement.
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
Sponsors a comprehensive program of special education research designed to expand the knowledge and understanding of infants, toddlers and children with disabilities.
US Dept of Ed Research and Statistics
American Educational Research Association
The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the most prominent international professional organization, with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its more than 25,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research; persons working with testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists. The broad range of disciplines represented by the membership includes education, psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science. Click on the link below to acces the most publication of the AERA: |
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American Educational Research Association
Public Education Network
Public Education Network (PEN) is a national association of local education funds (LEFs) and individuals working to advance public school reform in low-income communities across our country. PEN believes an active, vocal constituency is the key to ensuring that every child, in every community, benefits from a quality public education.
Public Education Network (http://www.publiceducation.org/index.asp)
RAND
RAND researchers have policy and hands-on experience in education and training. Research includes
K-12 assessment and accountability, school reform, teachers and teaching, higher education, military education and training, worker training, and substance-abuse prevention in schools. View all Education Documents Available Online or find general information at Reports and Bookstore.
http://www.rand.org/research_areas/education/