School districts across the nation are recognizing the value of scientifically based education research in determining effective interventions to improve student achievement. In an effort to be a catalyst to making positive change, a number of school districts are participating in a rigorous research study, sponsored by REL Southwest at Edvance Research, one of ten national research laboratories under the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.
The research study, Assessing the Impact of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) on Reading Comprehension: Findings for English Language Learners (ELL) and Fluent English Speakers, includes participation of diverse school districts in the REL Southwest region including:
- Corpus Christi (Texas)
- Galena Park ISD (Texas)
- Fort Bend ISD (Texas)
- Oklahoma City Public Schools (Oklahoma)
- and one large district (Texas)
CSR is a teaching strategy that incorporates both cooperative learning techniques and reading comprehension strategies. Some of the strategies include click and clunk, previewing the text, fix-up, and wrap up. The study focuses on 5th grade students during social studies instruction in districts with high ELL populations, and it evaluates classrooms using CSR compared with those not using the intervention. For more information on the study, visit www.edvanceresearch.com/CSRPA.htm
What is the benefit to schools participating in the study?
“It is no longer acceptable to choose programs and practices without thorough research,” states Donald Barfield, Associate Lab Director at REL Southwest. “Schools are increasingly looking to improve outcomes through the use of evidence-based strategies.”
Through participation in this research study, schools will receive FREE of charge:
- Professional development for teachers on how to utilize CSR, which will provide an opportunity to increase student achievement in reading
- Follow-up coaching sessions for teachers
- Research evidence based on student performance
- Opportunity to work with leading researchers in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), the gold-standard in research methodology
"As principal of a large elementary school … I am always looking for ways to help improve student achievement,” says Rafael Silva of Corpus Christi ISD (CCISD). “Our partnership with the Regional Educational Laboratory—Southwest will assist and provide staff development for the teachers in learning how to help students with diverse learning styles.”
“As a seasoned teacher of 31 years,” says Josephine Quinones, a teacher at CCISD, “the CSR techniques were valuable tools that I have added to my 'teaching bag.' The use of CSR was both teacher and student friendly.”
REL Southwest, at Edvance Research, is one of ten educational laboratories in the Regional Educational Laboratory Network (REL Network), under the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. REL Southwest serves the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas and works for the benefit of over 7 million students and 500,000 teachers in approximately 14,500 schools in grades pre-kindergarten through college in this five-state region. The REL Network encompasses ten geographical regions that span the nation with its primary mission being to serve the educational needs of designated regions. The REL Network uses applied research, development, dissemination, and training and technical assistance to bring the latest and best research and proven practices into school improvement efforts. http://edlabs.ed.gov/RELSouthwest
Educators in the southwest region may obtain technical assistance through the REL Reference Desk by calling 1-877-EDVANCE (1-877-338-2623) or e-mailing RELinfo@edvanceresearch.com.
Founded in 2005, Edvance Research, Inc. is a women and minority, employee owned business, specializing in rigorous product, policy and market research, in the education market. Edvance Research is dedicated to improving outcomes by supporting organizations in learning about evidence-based practices and using that information to improve their work and results. www.edvanceresearch.com
Contacts:
REL Southwest
Meg Grant, 210-558-1902
mgrant@edvanceresearch.com