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Closing the Gap: Test and Learn Overview

What is it?

Closing the Gap: Test and Learn is a new scheme from the National College of Teaching and Leadership providing grants for schools and teachers to get involved in rigorous research. The goal is to help improve the evidence-base for what works in closing the attainment gap (CTG) for disadvantaged pupils and also to stimulate robust research and development in schools. The scheme should also strengthen relationships between schools and higher education institutions.

Enhancing achievement for vulnerable students

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Enhancing achievement for vulnerable students: the role of research engagement and knowledge and capacity building in complex systems

This paper to the 2013 AERA conference in San Francisco focuses on two aspects of the use of research and evidence in increasing educational effectiveness. It explores the contribution of use of research and evidence to meeting the needs of vulnerable students (Proposition 1) and the way in which it becomes increasingly important as the governance of education moves from central regulation to de-regulation, from a small number of high profile players to an increasingly diffuse, diverse and localised group of stakeholders. (Proposition 2), As remarked in OECD (Fazekas & Burns, 2012) knowledge and its use moves centre stage in the context of increasing complexity in education governance systems. Similarly, in the context of the complexity of the learning needs of the most vulnerable and the difficulties education systems have in responding effectively to them, research and evidence about high leverage approaches have a particularly important part to play. (Ibid).

RTI

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behaviour needs. The RTI process begins with high-quality instruction and universal screening of all children in the general education classroom. Struggling learners are provided with interventions at increasing levels of intensity to accelerate their rate of learning.  A variety of staff are engaged in the process, including classroom and specialist teachers.

Numicon

The Numicon approach is built on the work of Catherine Stern, using multi disciplinary/ multi-sensory, using apparatus and focusing on Action, Imagery and Conversation. The programme of activities with Numicon Shapes and rods helps children understand number relationships, spot patterns and make generalisations. The Numicon Shapes and rods help teachers and children to communicate their ideas. Children are encouraged to work together on activities which emphasise applying understanding to solve problems.

Mini-enquiry Tools for Narrowing the Attainment Gap

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These two mini-enquiry tools help school leaders and practitioners gather and use evidence of teaching and learning practice in the classroom and/or school.

The 'Observing Others' tool helps middle and senior leaders structure lesson (and other practice) observation to serve an R& D purpose rather than, say , performance management.

The other Tool is an introduction to a group of  research 'tasters' covering a wide range of evidence based teaching and learning topics.

Teach First High Performing Schools

 

 

CUREE worked with Teach First to investigate the characteristics of high performing schools. Drawing on the latest international evidence, we worked with 14 schools to review approaches to leadership, professional learning and student learning which enabled a high proportion of their students to achieve expected progress and beyond.

 

Some of the characteristics we explored were to what extent and how:

CUREE Easter Enews

Contents

  • Philippa’s Easter Blog
  • Route Maps – a key element in the CPD journey from primary to HE
  • Frederick Bird School
  • The new OfSTED Data Dashboard
  • Using Support Staff to make a difference
  • BERA SAGE practitioner award
  • Quis custodiet..?
  • Bad Science – Good Education?
  • Evidence for Professional learning
  • Accessing the evidence – the CUREE guarantee
  • Links

 

Philippa’s Easter Blog