Using Research to Inform Instructional Practices

Teachers hear terms like “evidence-based” or “research-supported” all the time. It is important to view such claims with a critical eye, but we also don't want to be so skeptical that we miss genuine opportunities to improve our practice. How can we know who to trust when they say a practice is (or isn’t) evidence-based?

While the education world has its fair share of debate about what effective teaching looks like, there is a great deal of research consensus on what works. Free, non-commercial "practice guides" are available from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The guides each include research-supported recommendations (some guides also have additional resources like videos, e.g., “Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in Grades 4 Through 8”). Because the recommendations are rated according to the strength of their research support, you can prioritize what is most important to implement right away. While only some of many possible topics are covered, what is available offers a bedrock of practice and knowledge that is truly evidence-based. 


Here is a small sampling of practice guides available: 

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