[AAACE-NLA] evidence based research

[Jose L. Cruz]

Andres and Partners:

I had the opportunity to see the presentation on the subject of student
persistence, in April 2004, in Boston.  John Comings (NCSALL at Harvard) was
sharing his research on this topic.  He and his people are a well-respected
source of information, able to take research and translate it into something
we can use.

As Hal Beder (NCSALL-Rutgers) once said to me, and I am paraphrasing him,
"The purpose of research is not to give answers, but to give practitioners
ideas for their work."  I didn't like the answer much, but it was honest and
acceptable.  I stopped looking for answers and have worked harder to be a
translater.  Like so many others, I am doing what I can to convert research
information into promising practices.

One source defines evidence-based practice as... "a total process beginning
with knowing what clinical questions to ask, how to find the best practice,
and how to critically appraise the evidence for validity and applicability
to the particular care [instructional] situation. The best evidence then
must be applied by a clinician [teacher] with expertise in considering the
patient's [students] unique values and needs. The final aspect of the
process is evaluation of the effectiveness of care [instruction] and the
continual improvement of the process" (DePalma, 2000).

The way I read this, your presenter's definition is consistent with the
above source.

For the cause...clarity is a good thing!

Jose L. Cruz
California Literacy


-----Original Message-----
From: aaace-nla-bounces at lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:aaace-nla-bounces at lists.literacytent.org]On Behalf Of
AndresMuro at aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 10:41 AM
To: aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: [AAACE-NLA] evidence based research


I need clarification from the experts

Yesterday I attended a workshop on evidence based practice at the Texas
Association of Literacy and Adult Education Conference (TALAE). The workshop
was given by a NCSALL researcher who shared results of NCSALL's research on
student persistence.

The presenter explained that according to the Department of Ed's office of
scientific research (don't remember the precise name), educational programs
must engage in evidence based practice. According the the Dept of Ed,
evidence based practice is: (I' am paraphrasing) "the combination of
Scientific research and teacher's wisdom".  I think that it may be needless
to say that I have no idea of how to interpret this.

Based on the presentation by the NCSALL researcher I learned that students
persist in programs because of good program quality among other factors.
When I inquired about what this meant, the presenter said that she was
reporting the data on persistence but she didn't know what defined program
quality.
So, in my wisdom (of an experienced teacher ;-)) I deduced that scientific
research tells me that students want quality, something that I may have not
been able to figure out on my own. I can combine this with my wisdom.  In my
wisdom, I could decide that quality program is to teach people phonics
extensively. So, would this mean that I am applying evidence based research
to my practice?

I also could deduce that quality means getting rid of WIA and NRS in my
program. Again would this satisfy DOE?

Andres

--
Please take a look at my artwork: www.geocities.com/andresmuro/art.html

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