The links on this page provide access to resources related to educational research and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

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Research on Education

Organizations

American Educational Research Association

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is an international professional organization, with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. AERA encourages scholarly inquiry related to education and promotes the dissemination and practical application of research results. The disciplines represented by the membership includes education, psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science.

The National Council on Measurement in Education

The National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) is a professional organization for individuals involved in assessment, evaluation, testing, and other aspects of educational measurement. Members are involved in the construction and use of standardized tests; new forms of assessment; program design; and program evaluation. The council conducts a broad range of activities related to advancement of the science of measurement in education and dissemination of knowledge about theory, techniques, and instrumentation. As part of this, NCME prepares instructional materials for educational measurement teachers, program designers and evaluators, and classroom teachers.

The National Academies

The National Academies consists of four organizations:

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING
INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

The Center for Education is part of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, which resides under the National Academies’ National Research Council. The center promotes evidence-based policy analysis on topics such as grounding policy in scientific research, interpreting and using data in decision making, motivating high school students to learn, and preventing reading difficulties. This site offers studies, reports, workshops, and Web sites to provide information on critical issues facing education, such as standards, assessment, teaching, technology, preparation of youth for productive futures, and the improvement of educational research.

The National Science Resources Center (NSRC), established in 1985 by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies, has a mission is to improve the learning and teaching of science. Among its offerings are resources for building leadership in the sciences, providing professional development, and establishing research-based science education curriculum programs in K–12.

Informational Materials

Federal Register: Notice of Final Priority (January 25, 2005; Vol. 70, no. 15)

This 2005 posting in the Federal Register provides the working definition of “scientifically based research” from the U.S. Department of Education.

Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported by Rigorous Evidence: A User
Friendly Guide

This guide, published by the U.S. Department of Education, provides educational practitioners with tools to determine whether practices are supported by rigorous evidence.

The What Works Clearinghouse

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) collects, screens, and identifies studies of the effectiveness of educational interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies). WWC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.

Doing What Works

Doing What Works (DWW) is a Web site hosted by the U.S. Department of Education to assist educators in identifying and using effective teaching practices that are supported by rigorous research. Topics covered include early childhood education, English language learners, math and science, psychology of learning, and school improvement. High school reform, literacy, and other topics will be added as reports become available.

ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)

This online library, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, provides access to bibliographic records of journal articles, books, conference papers, technical reports, and other relevant materials. Many full-text resources are available.

What Does Scientifically Based Research Mean for Schools?

The December 2003 issue of SEDL Letter, published by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, features this article exploring what scientifically based research means for schools, particularly in mathematics and science education.

Using Scientifically Based Research to Guide Educational Decisions

This site provides guidance for teachers and administrators in understanding scientifically based research as it applies to student learning.

Using Scientifically Based Research in Schools

The October 2005 newsletter of the Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement provides information on using scientifically based research in schools.

Using Research and Reason in Education: How Teachers Can Use Scientifically Based
Research to Make Curricular & Instructional Decisions

This publication was produced by the RMC Research Corporation under a contract with the National Institute for Literacy and is hosted by the National Partnership for Reading.

Scientifically Based Research: A Planning Tool for Educators [PDF download]

This guide, published by Edvantia, addresses how research evidence should be evaluated, in terms of relevance, rigor, objectivity, and other criteria. The guide also outlines seven steps to conducting scientifically based research.

Resources for Methods in Evaluation and Social Research

This Web site provide links to free resources for methods in evaluation and social research. The focus is on how to do evaluation research and the methods used: surveys, focus groups, sampling, interviews, and other methods. It also links to a variety of organizations related to evaluation, such as the American Evaluation Association and the American Statistical Association and many international organizations. Although the site is created and maintained by an individual, there are many good links listed; the site contains a disclaimer stating that the links are provided as a public service and the author does not intend to offer advice or make suggestions regarding evaluation.

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No Child Left Behind

No Child Left Behind

The U.S. Department of Education's Web site provides information about the NCLB legislation
including an overview, information on stronger accountability, more local freedom, proven
methods, choices for parents, and an A-Z index.

The Texas Education Agency's NCLB site

This site, which is a resource maintained by the Texas Education Agency, provides a
comprehensive collection of information and updates related to NCLB and its implications in
Texas.

Center on Education Policy—No Child Left Behind

The Center on Education Policy's Web site includes an NCLB link that features a collection of
links to and abstracts of reports related to NCLB. (Click on "No Child Left Behind")

Education Commission of the States

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) was established in 1965 as a means of
exchanging information and ideas among state policymakers and education leaders. Their
NCLB site hosts numerous reports on state implementation and other relevant topics; pages
on related issues, such as accountability, school support, choice, SES, literacy, teacher
quality; information about reauthorization of the act; and links to the states’ NCLB Web sites
and accountability plans.

American Association of School Administrators

The American Association of School Administrators, founded in 1865, is a professional
organization for superintendents and other administrator as well as school leaders. This Web
site provides policy papers and other information regarding NCLB.