What Works Clearinghouse

What Works Clearinghouse is a leading source of evidence-based information on effective education programs, products, and strategies, established by the United States Department of Education and operated by the Institute of Education Sciences. The clearinghouse provides educators, policymakers, and researchers with high-quality research and evaluation findings to inform decision-making, in collaboration with organizations such as the National Center for Education Statistics and the American Educational Research Association. By reviewing and synthesizing research studies from renowned institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley, the What Works Clearinghouse aims to identify and disseminate effective solutions to pressing education challenges, with support from foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The clearinghouse's work is guided by experts in the field, including Diane Ravitch, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Frederick Hess, and is informed by research from prominent think tanks like the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.

Introduction

The What Works Clearinghouse is a trusted resource for education professionals, providing research-based information on a wide range of topics, from reading instruction to mathematics education, in partnership with organizations like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the International Reading Association. By leveraging the expertise of researchers from institutions like Columbia University, University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin–Madison, the clearinghouse helps educators and policymakers make informed decisions about which programs and strategies to implement, with consideration of federal and state education policies, such as No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds Act. The clearinghouse's work is also informed by studies from research centers like the National Center for Special Education Research and the Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk, and is supported by foundations like the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Furthermore, the clearinghouse collaborates with professional associations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers to ensure that its findings are relevant and useful to educators in the field.

History

Established in 2002, the What Works Clearinghouse was created in response to the No Child Left Behind Act, which emphasized the importance of evidence-based decision-making in education, with input from policymakers like George W. Bush and Ted Kennedy. The clearinghouse was initially operated by the American Institutes for Research and later transferred to the Institute of Education Sciences, with support from congressional committees like the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Over the years, the clearinghouse has expanded its scope and reach, partnering with organizations like the National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the Council of Chief State School Officers to provide technical assistance and professional development opportunities to educators and policymakers. The clearinghouse has also collaborated with institutions like the University of Chicago, New York University, and University of Texas at Austin to advance the field of education research and improve student outcomes.

Methodology

The What Works Clearinghouse uses a rigorous methodology to review and synthesize research studies, with a focus on randomized controlled trials and quasi-experiments, as outlined in the What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook. The clearinghouse's review process involves multiple stages, including study screening, data extraction, and study rating, with input from experts in the field, such as Robert Slavin and Helen Ladd. The clearinghouse also uses a rating system to evaluate the quality of evidence and the effectiveness of interventions, with consideration of contextual factors like school demographics and teacher characteristics. By leveraging the expertise of researchers from institutions like University of California, Los Angeles and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the clearinghouse provides high-quality research and evaluation findings to inform decision-making, with support from foundations like the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Areas of Focus

The What Works Clearinghouse focuses on a range of topics, including reading instruction, mathematics education, and special education, with a particular emphasis on interventions that support students with disabilities and English language learners. The clearinghouse also examines programs and strategies aimed at improving teacher quality, school leadership, and parent engagement, with consideration of federal and state education policies, such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Elementary and Secondary Education Act. By partnering with organizations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the clearinghouse provides research-based information and technical assistance to support educators and policymakers in their efforts to improve student outcomes, with input from experts like Deborah Meier and Theodore Sizer. Additionally, the clearinghouse collaborates with institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and University of Washington to advance the field of education research and improve education policy.

Impact and Influence

The What Works Clearinghouse has had a significant impact on education policy and practice, with its findings informing decisions at the federal, state, and local levels, as seen in initiatives like the Race to the Top and Common Core State Standards Initiative. The clearinghouse's research and evaluation findings have also been cited in reports from congressional committees and government agencies, such as the Government Accountability Office and the National Academy of Sciences. By providing high-quality research and evaluation findings, the clearinghouse has helped to promote evidence-based decision-making in education, with support from foundations like the Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Furthermore, the clearinghouse's work has been recognized by organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, and has informed education reform efforts, such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Criticisms and Controversies

Despite its influence, the What Works Clearinghouse has faced criticisms and controversies, with some researchers and educators arguing that its methodology is too narrow or that its findings are not always generalizable to diverse education settings, as noted by critics like Diane Ravitch and Alfie Kohn. Others have raised concerns about the clearinghouse's reliance on randomized controlled trials and the potential limitations of this methodology, as discussed in studies by researchers like Frederick Hess and Jay Greene. Additionally, some have criticized the clearinghouse for its funding structure, which is supported by the United States Department of Education and private foundations, such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. However, the clearinghouse has responded to these criticisms by expanding its methodology and engaging in ongoing evaluation and improvement efforts, with input from experts like Linda Darling-Hammond and Robert Slavin.