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