"Proof", policy, and practice : understanding the role of evidence in improving education / Paul E. Lingenfelter ; foreword by Michel S. McPherson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lingenfelter, Paul E., author.

Contributor:

McPherson, Michel S., writer of foreword.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Education--Research--United States.

Education.

Educational change--United States.

Educational change.

Education and state--United States.

Education and state.

School improvement programs--United States.

School improvement programs.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (286 pages) : illustrations, tables

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Sterling, Virginia : Stylus, 2016.

Summary:

This book bridges the divide. It argues that unrealistic expectations lead to both unproductive research and impossible standards for "evidence-based" policy and practice, and it offers promising ways for evidence to contribute to improvement.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Table of Contents

Figures and Tables

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1: Proof and Policy

Usable Knowledge in Everyday Life-The Modest Role of Science

Scientific "Proof " from the Perspective of a "Hard" Scientist

Can We Find Proof in Policy and Practice?

What About the Potential of Big Data?

Challenges in Applying Scientific Knowledge to Practice

Research for Fundamental Understanding and Research for Use

Utility Without Proof: Scholarship for Policy and Practice

Notes

2: Experimentation and Program Evaluation

Evidence-Based Policy Using the Experimental Method

Campbell and Stanley on Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research

Experimental Program Evaluation, Evaluated

The What Works Clearinghouse

MDRC

Why Isn't Experimentation More Conclusive and Productive?

A Realist Approach for Evaluating Interventions

Observations from the Case of Success for All

Turning Gold into Lead?

3: Measurement

Measuring Up: State Performance in Postsecondary Education

Measuring Up's Theory of Change

The Strategy and Its Implementation

Testing the Theory of Change

Policy-Makers' Responses to Measuring Up

Data Quality, Data Standards, Data Systems

Measuring Student Learning: Fundamental Concepts and Issues

Common Core State Standards for College and Career Readiness

The Impetus for the Common Core

Development and Implementation Thus Far

Reflections on the Historical Context of the Common Core

Assessing Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO)

Can Postsecondary Knowledge and Skill Be Assessed on an International Scale?

Can Student Performance Be Directly Assessed at a Global Level with Valid Results Across Diverse Cultures, Languages, and Different Types of Institution?.

Can a "Low-Stakes" Voluntary International Comparative Assessment Provide Higher Education Institutions with Feedback They Can Use to Foster Improvement in Student Learning Outcomes?

4: Measurement: Fit for Which Purposes?

The Educational Data Movement

The Controversial Postsecondary Student Unit-Record System

Data Ownership and the Right to Privacy for Individuals and Institutions

Differentiating Policy and Practice

Data and Measurement Guidelines: For Policy, Public Use, and Practice

Fitness for Purpose: Legitimate and Effective Uses of Measurement

Measuring Up

Expansive Student-Level Data Systems and Common Education Data Standards

Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO)

Concluding Thoughts on the Assessment of Learning

5: Getting Better: The Use of Evidence in Practice

Technical Rationality and Reflective Practice

Qualitative Research

Improvement Science in Medicine

Networked Improvement Communities: Improvement Science in Education

Understanding the Problem in Systemic Terms

Establishing Clear, Measurable Goals for Improvement

Developing and Testing Theories of Action to Generate Improvement

Analyzing Results to Guide Subsequent Action

A Continuous Cycle of Learning and Improved Performance

What is Evidence-Based Practice? How Can It Improve Outcomes?

The Complexity of the Situation

The Relevance of Evidence to the Situation

The Quality of Evidence and Measurement

The Ability of the Practitioner to Use Evidence

Concluding Thoughts on Using Evidence to Improve Practice

6: Research and Evidence in Government and Organizations

Influence, Interests, Views, Information, Negotiation, Knowledge

Influence

Interests

Views

Information

Negotiation.

Knowledge

The Essential Role of Measurement

The Politicization of Educational Policy

The Culture Wars

Markets, Hierarchy, Bureaucracy, and Pluralism

Conflict Among Special Interests

Social Justice: Income, Class, Opportunity, and Privilege

What Education Studies are Influential in Political Environments?

Consequential and Less-Consequential Research

Resistance to Dissonant Information

Sorting Through Elusive Connections Between Cause and Effect

Tailoring Inquiry to the Decision-Making System

Realistic, Operational Decision Options.

Focus on Salient, Significant Issues.

Reasonable Accessibility.

Locally Focused Data and Analysis.

Focus on Nontrivial Effects.

Concluding Thoughts on Research, Evidence, and the Politicization of Education

7: What Works, When, and How: Reflections, Observations, and Opinions

Shaping Policy and Practice-Not Changing Worldviews

Undesirable Variation: The Core Issue in Most Complex Social Problems

Measuring for Improvement, Despite the Land Mines

Uses of Measurement in Educational Policy

Uses of Measurement in Educational Practice

Understanding the System: the Case of Research on Chicago Schools

Comparable, Valid Measurement of Crucial Outcome Variables

Probing to Discover the Drivers of Improvement

The Utility of Research Findings

Harnessing, Not Fighting, Human Agency in Accountability for Improvement

Balancing Measurement for Improvement and Accountability

Illuminating Fundamental Issues of Practice

Using Data Analytics to Improve Performance

Employing Financial Supports, Incentives, and Sanctions

Supporting Existing Capabilities and Developing Capabilities

Motivating with Incentives and Enabling with Necessary Financial Resources

Avoiding Perverse Incentives and Unproductive Expenditures.

Monitoring Outcomes and Adapting Policy to Improve

Aligning Policy and Practice in Partnership

In Conclusion

Pitfalls to Avoid

Unlocking the Potential of Evidence for Improvement

Bibliography

About the Author

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781579227524

157922752X

OCLC:

945609601