Research and Best Practices

This two part rubric and worksheet is for use by individuals responsible for monitoring (1) district-level capacity to support response to intervention (RTI implementation and (2) district-wide fidelity of RTI implementation.

Science Resources

A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
This document, based on the research on teaching and learning science, provides the first step towards creating new standards in K-12 science education. It defines the foundational knowledge and skills to be taught in K-12 science and engineering, based on three major dimensions: (1) Scientific and Engineering Practices, (2) Crosscutting Concepts that apply across all fields, and (3) Disciplinary Core Ideas in physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering, technology, and the application of science.
Effective Science Instruction: What Does Research Tell Us? - Second Edition
This brief from the Center on Instruction endeavors to distill the research on science learning to inform a common vision of science instruction and to describe the extent to which K-12 science education currently reflects this vision. A final section on implications for policymakers and science education practitioners describes actions that could integrate the findings from research into science education. This Second Edition of Effective Science Instruction: What Does Research Tell Us? provides more detailed information for users. In.....
Explicit vocabulary instruction and strategies that help students become independent vocabulary learners
Teachers should provide explicit vocabulary instruction both as part of reading and language arts classes and as part of content area classes such as science and social studies. Learning specialized vocabularies contributes to the success of reading among adolescent students. By giving students explicit instruction in vocabulary, content area teachers help them learn the meaning of new words and strengthen their independent skills in constructing the meaning of text.
Web-Based Resources for Science, Technology, and Engineering: Tools and Activities for Teaching and Learning
The entries compiled here are grouped by type (general or subject-specific), and include information about the appropriate grade level(s) for the online activities and sample lessons. Following these entries is an annotated bibliography of online articles and books. Both the links and the resources presented here were selected by CAST in fall 2005 according to two criteria: 1) they shed light on the kinds of effective research, classroom practices, and policies that support standards-based learning, and 2) they can be accessed free of.....
Teaching Spatial Skills to Girls
This overview describes some of the gender differences in test performance; ways in which spatial skills are used in school, careers, and normal life; and approaches to teaching spatial skills. (5:00 min)
Effective Science Instruction: What Does Research Tell Us? (K-12)
Effective Science Instruction: What Does Research Tell Us? [K-12] Published by COI A debate continues over what constitutes effective science instruction. This brief endeavors to distill the research on science learning to inform a common vision of science instruction and to describe the extent to which K-12 science education currently reflects this vision. A final section on implications for policymakers and science education practitioners describes actions that could integrate the findings from research into science education.
Center on Instruction Professional Development for Science
The Center on Instruction’s professional development on science builds teachers’ knowledge of current research on science content, student learning, essential science skills, and instructional strategies to provide meaningful science learning experiences for a diverse student population.