Education research exists, so why isn't it used in policymaking?

EPPSE study, following the paths of life 3,000 children could actually learn something politicians say

Fiona Millar

Earlier this year, the House of Lords published a long and detailed report on the subject in a dry place, out of key government scientific advisors. This 100-page report is based on nearly 400 pages of evidence and made significant recommendations on how scientific evidence should act accordingly in public policy.

I just discovered this after being alerted to the presentation of Professor Pam Sammons, University of Oxford, who used free schools by the government as an example of how policies are not always based on solid evidence. He suggested that further consideration at the research that has demonstrated the impact of free schools in Sweden and American charts in the rules and reduce the gap is not as clear as the 2010 white paper, the importance of education, he suggests, and that policy initiatives should be tested before being deployed.

This does not mean that the Ministry of Education does not do research. In fact, the ministry's website proudly boasts 24.7 pounds was spent between 2010 and 2011. And even if the results are cherrypicked or ignored, is a valuable resource. One of his most important projects is the EPPSE study (pre-primary education effective, primary and secondary), I plunged several times over the last 10 years. This study, initiated by the Major government, began the arduous task of continuing life histories of 3,000 children in the first year of the Blair government and produced detailed reports since. An issue that has been the factors inside and outside of school to help reduce inequalities. One of his last works, execution, against all odds, is at the heart of the debate on social mobility to see why it is that some children from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed against all odds.

• EPPSE
• All documents are clear about the impact of the quality of education, the relationship between students and teachers and schools matter why. In this report, additional support for children who are lagging behind is critical. But it is also clear that schools are not enough to compensate for inequalities in society. High quality early years provision, self-esteem, communities, social networks, peer groups and enrichment opportunities form a complex network of "risk" and "protective factors" for children.

But the children of origin and may be lifted above the rest to determine if children grow. Encourage parents, coherent and stimulating for children using home-learning to develop self-esteem, aspiration and resilience, which is far from being fully in family income. Researchers refer to visit the houses where the heating is off, where bulbs and tea bags are a luxury, but where hope and belief in children was high.

So why do not we hear more? In the last years of Labour government, paternity is a matter of visibility and controversial. I participated in many debates about whether the state should intervene in the private sphere of the family, whether parent support should be a default template for disadvantaged children or offer universal recognition that the Wealth is not necessarily equal to home support and care if Twilight would turn children into criminals vandals.

But even ridiculed that initiatives Blair as "baby Asbo", children's centers and counselors to help parents, was a recognition that to intervene and provide support to vulnerable families (even before birth ) can help improve the lives of children. Whether you agree with them or not, it is important that these issues be discussed publicly.
Many schools continue to invest in the expansion, the expansion of services and support to parents, but with difficulty, given the financial situation. But the simplistic narrative synthetic phonics, focusing on five GCSEs academic rigid discipline and remove its cap to the teacher gives each child of the working class the opportunity to go to Oxbridge pulls in the opposite direction. If only it were that simple. The conclusion of the House of Lords report was that scientific advisors have the status of government should be independent, rebellious, and be able to present evidence at all stages of the policy process. I agree and suggest that the results of this study ecological design would be a good place to start.

Find best price for : --Education----Blair----Oxford----EPPSE--