Using Research to Improve Outcomes. Middle School Matters Program No. 4

The field of education is asking how research and evidence can bolster the knowledge of its practitioners. Educators increasingly are asked to use research and evidence to support their choices of programs, practices, and processes. The promise of using research in this way is more effective teaching and learning. But not all research and evidence is alike. Simply calling a paper, report, or essay "research" does not necessarily mean it conforms to standards of the research community. This brief is a guide to middle grade practitioners about how to use research to improve instruction and to identify effective programs, materials, and resources. Practitioners can use this brief to determine whether research supports their current practices and whether the implementation of those practices is in line with the evidence.