Research-Based Options

Research-Based Options for Education Policymaking is a multipart brief that takes up a number of important policy issues and identifies policies supported by research. Each section focuses on a different issue, and its recommendations to policymakers are based on the latest scholarship. Research-Based Options for Education Policymaking is published by The National Education Policy Center, housed at the University of Colorado Boulder, and is made possible in part by funding from the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice.

1	Teacher Evaluation, William J. Mathis, managing director of the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) examines teacher evaluation policies supported by research. This brief draws upon earlier Great Lakes Center funded work.
2	Common Core, Second brief (in a series of ten) examines the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The actual effect of the widespread adoption of the CCSS will depend less on the standards themselves than on how they are used
3	Preschool, Investment in high-quality preschool education is one of the most effective reform strategies. This section details the key elements of such a program, and the supporting research.
4	Public Funding of School Choice, Describes important issues and questions that policymakers should consider in determining public funding of alternatives to conventional public schools.
5	Dropout Strategies, Discusses the success of various dropout prevention strategies, and advises policymakers on how best to decrease dropout rates.
6	Effective School Expenditures, There is a general consensus on policy initiatives where increased school funding will likely lead to improved outcomes.
7	English Language Learners and Parental Involvement, Urges policymakers to adopt a series of measures that would welcome and involve the parents of English language learners in U.S. schools to improve the achievement of those students.
8	21st Century Skills, Explains the sometimes-conflicting values and proposals for making schools relevant to meeting the needs of the 21st Century.
9	LGBT Safety Policies
10	Detracking