Why educational research is so Important and why it is having so little impact Peter Tymms

Outline The potential of research Changing policies Structures –Hierarchical nature of our system –Learning progress over the years –Male/female differences Conclusions - throughout

Research potential Understanding –Underlying causes –Theory –Prediction But: –Interaction –Complexity Nevertheless …..

Can you date this? “ Learning, alas will someday be smothered by … examination, competition, the calculation and publication of results.”

J.E.C. Welldon

Reasons Dissatisfaction with the old system Forgetting the lessons of history New evidence and new theories New technology New politicians

Impact of Policies on Standards Primary schools –Hundreds of millions £ –Impact on reading Tiny –Impact on maths Modest Secondary –….

Leaving Certificates

Summary Massive efforts to raise standards More students staying on More gaining qualifications Levels of basic skills have remained fairly constant Higher grades are easier to obtain

Hierarchy within Education Schools Clusters Classes Pupils Countries

Which matters most? 1.Country 2.Cluster 3.School 4.Teacher 5.Pupil

Which matters most? 1.Country ? 2.Cluster 3.School 4.Teacher 5.Pupil

Learning – growth pattern

With more detail

In Summary There are patterns to learning –General growth curve –Learning follows teaching –Specific patterns by SES Subject matter Delays can be problematic Forcing the pace can be counterproductive Little and often is best

Sex Differences Gender differences in school performance –How big are they? By subject By ages? Choice

Age 3-18 Official data –A level –GCSE –End of KS3 & KS2 CEM projects –ALIS –YELLIS –MidYIS –PIPS –ASPECTS

Mathematics

English Vocabulary, Reading and Writing

Science

A Complication: Maths

Choices pre-university: Most Female

Pre-university: Most Male

Summary Attainment –Male  Female But –Mathematics spread: Male > Female –Language based areas: Female > Male Choices –heavily gender based

Why do we see differences? Nature Nurture Or the two together

Evidence from monkeys