Should Government have a role in choreographing an evidence system in education?

Submitted by Jonathan Sharples on Mon, 02/06/2014 - 8:47am

Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Westminster, London

Momentum is gathering around the idea that rigorous and robust research evidence has the potential to help improve the quality of teaching, and achieve better outcomes for pupils. Greater engagement by teachers with a relevant and accessible research base would also drive a more autonomous, self-improving school system. Such a system of evidence-informed practice involves many different elements and organisations, with the consequent possibility for overlap and duplication in some areas and gaps in others.

The Department for Education is interested in exploring, along with practitioners, academics, research organisations and policy makers, what (if any) role there might be for Government in choreographing the system, to avoid duplication, ensure gaps are filled and promote an evidence ‘pipeline’ with clear, practical application for teachers. We would also like to explore what the alternatives might be to Government performing these functions.

Questions to be explored by this event:

  • Does an effective evidence based teaching system require ‘choreographing’?
  • What do people see as being Government’s role in this system?
  • What are the alternatives to Government performing a role? What other organisations/structures could be available?
  • What role does Government perform in other evidence ecosystems? (eg police, social care) – how transferable is this to an education context?

Speakers include:

  • Rachel Tuffin, Head of Research, Analysis and Information, College of Policing
  • Jonathan Shepherd, Vice-Dean of Innovation and Engagement, University of Cardiff
  • Carole Willis, Chief Executive, National Foundation for Education Research
  • Dame Alison Peacock, Headteacher, The Wroxham School and Chair of the Teaching Schools Research and Development Advisory Group
  • David Gough, Director of the EPPI Centre, Institute of Education

Please contact [email protected], preferably by 30 May, to register for this event.