Background: COVID-19 accentuated an evergreen dilemma in evidence-informed policy making--the imperative to synthesise the best available evidence with limited time to produce high quality synthesis. The pandemic prompted the adaptation of evidence synthesis practices to match the urgency of the crisis, and heightened demand by policy makers,…

Excellence in research is essential for advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and addressing societal challenges. This article proposes the INDEX Strategy Framework as a structured, evidence-based guide to optimize the research process. The framework encompasses five critical phases: Identify Focus Areas, Network and Collaborate, Design…

The number of autistic students educated in general education classrooms in the United States has increased over recent decades. To ensure meaningful participation and learning for this population, there is a critical need to identify evidence-based, inclusive practices. Through systematic review, the authors examine characteristics and…

Prevention science has now encompassed decades of research exploring risk and protective factors and effective programs for the prevention and treatment of childhood behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns. This paper shares our experience over the last 40 years as program developers and researchers in responding to contemporary needs…

Computational thinking (CT) is a core skill for students in the digital age, which refers to the use of fundamental concepts of computer science to analyze and solve real-world problems. However, it is a challenging task to accurately measure the CT levels of the students. The goal of this study is to explore a new CT assessment paradigm that…

Extremism in special education has been an endemic feature for decades but its most recent iteration, the full inclusion movement (FIM), is pushing special education toward a radical ideology in which placement in mainstream schools, rather than providing effective instruction, is becoming the main focus of efforts to meet the needs of students…

Explicit prefix-root-suffix (PRS) vocabulary instruction presents a crucial foundation for more equitable academic success given today's wide ranges of learner needs in early childhood education settings. This article raises awareness of the benefits of explicit PRS vocabulary instruction from early grades on by sharing a selected number of…

In response to calls for active STEM learning that builds students' agency and sense of belonging, teachers and leaders are being encouraged more and more to equitably implement integrated STEM instruction. This practical guidebook is designed to help educators create integrated STEM learning experiences that are inclusive for all students and…

Higher education faculty members are increasingly being asked to defend their teaching methods with research-based support. This article offers such evidence through a randomized control-group pretest-posttest study that examined whether a newly created andragogy method, Forming Optimal Classroom Environments (FOCE), increased master's students'…

The turn to 'evidence-based education' in the past three decades favours one type of evidence: experiment. Knowledge brokers ground recommendations for classroom practice on reports of experimental research. This paper distinguishes "field" and "laboratory" experiments, on the basis of control and precision of causal…

Based on national test data, students are performing at a basic achievement level (below grade-level) in both reading and math (NCES, 2022). Research indicates four causes for low academic performance: poor pre-service preparation; inconsistent presence of standards-based, grade-level curriculum; lack of ongoing, evidence-based professional…

Based on national test data, students are performing at a basic achievement level (below grade-level) in both reading and math (NCES, 2022). Research indicates four causes for low academic performance: poor pre-service preparation; inconsistent presence of standards-based, grade-level curriculum; lack of ongoing, evidence-based professional…

The importance of assessment has increased and is now integrated in institutional cultures for faculty, leaders, service units, accreditors, and learners. To address the call for validation of learning, institutions and organizations are building competency-based education (CBE) programs that are relevant, accessible, and ensure quality. In 2021,…

Teaching elementary students how to read is undeniably crucial, yet a substantial number of children encounter difficulties despite early interventions. Cross-age tutoring, a pedagogical approach that pairs older students with younger peers, emerges as a cost-effective solution that brings academic and social benefits to both the tutor and the…

Microteaching is a way of doing professional development for teachers wanting to incorporate new evidence-based and high-leverage practices into their instructional toolboxes. Given how much work is required in teaching and the limited time professionals have available, microteaching is an accessible process that supports instructional improvement…