Essay on Research-Based Programs in Education

What does it mean to be a research-based professional? To answer this question and to understand how teachers must work with research-based programs we should analyze the recommended article by Bonnie Grossen. There are a number of key issues, the importance of which is obvious for teachers. The first problem deals with mechanism for distinguishing fads from best practice. The matter of the fact is that scientific researches with tests and measurement are important nowadays in education as they can show visible results and every teacher must understand it. American population just now understands the necessity of these measures and they are ready to pay for private schooling.

The second important point that requires teacher’s attention deals with levels of research-based programs in education. There are three levels in research-based programs: theories, test of appropriate theories and adaptation of these theories to schools. Of course, theoretical base of educational process is extremely important and no teacher can leave this fact without attention. Hypothesis should be tested in practice and it’s the second level but the most important and difficult is the adaptation of these theories. Even the best theory can be not suitable for the needs of the society. Research-based professionals should be acquainted with problems of research uses and abuses. The situation when the theory is applying without being tested is very frequent and negative consequences of such adaptation are obvious and real professionals must avoid such mistakes. The Reading Recovery Research provides current information about research-based programs but it doesn’t mean that teachers and student don’t need any other sources of information. Reading Recovery has both advantages and disadvantages and it’s very important to remember about it.

The main characteristic that distinguishes a research-based professional from other people is his knowledge in narrow field and erudition. His main aim is to determine how to improve each model of education and he doesn’t try to choice the best model.

Nowadays there are special practices that prepare teachers to work with new models of education and to use them successfully, which are called “Developmentally Appropriate Practices”. “DAP was born from meetings of the NAEYC in the mid-80s in an effort to foster professional identity and visibility for the early childhood practitioner.” (Johnson and McChesney Johnson, 1992). Such kind of practice is used to answer all questions that research-based teachers have.

Attitude to children is very important according to research-based programs. Teaching plans should be based on children’s interests and suggestions. Different capabilities of children should be taken into attention and it’s also a problem nowadays for teachers.

Every theory must have scientific background and it’s the main demand. All the theories are independent and individual but they are based on science. Such combination of science wit individualism is the key of progress. So, as we can see research-based programs require proper attention of teachers. Teachers have to be well prepared to introduce new models of education. That means they must perfectly know theoretical base and be ready to practice them.

Bibliography

1. Johnson, J., & McChesney Johnson, K. (1992). Clarifying the developmental perspective in response to Carta, Schwartz, Atwater, and McConnell. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 12(4), 439-457.