What Works Clearinghouse What's New //ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/whatsnew/ For the latest in events, developments, and updates to the What Works Clearinghouse website, check back here often. en-us statistics data access tools libraries schools colleges WWC Quick Review: The Long-Term Impact of Teachers This study examined whether being taught by a teacher with a high “value-added” improves a student’s long-term outcomes. The study analyzed more than 20 years of data for nearly one million fourth- through eighth-grade students in a large urban school district. 3/1/2012 8:32:43 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/quickreview.aspx?sid=209 I CAN Learn for High School Math? WWC Reviews the Research I CAN Learn is a computer software system that provides math instruction through a series of interactive lessons. Based on its review of the research, the WWC found the pre-algebra and algebra components of I CAN Learn® to have no discernible effects on math achievement for high school students. 2/28/2012 7:40:58 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=596 Does Study of My Teaching Partner-Secondary Meet WWC Standards? The WWC has reviewed a recent study of the professional development program My Teaching Partner-Secondary. The research described in the report based on the intervention year meets WWC evidence standards. The analyses based on the post-intervention year meet WWC evidence standards with reservations because unaccounted-for differences between the two groups of students in the post-intervention group may have existed before the intervention. 2/22/2012 9:03:37 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/quickreviewsum.aspx?sid=191 ThinkerTools for Science Education: WWC Looks at the Research ThinkerTools is a computer-based program that aims to develop students' understanding of physics and scientific modeling. No studies of ThinkerTools meet WWC evidence standards. Therefore, the WWC is unable to draw any conclusions based on research about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the program. 2/14/2012 8:54:12 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=594 WWC Reviews Research on Science Program: Chemistry That Applies An instructional unit for grades 8-10, Chemistry That Applies is designed to help students understand the law of conservation of matter. Based on its review of the research, the WWC found the program to have potentially positive effects on general science achievement. 2/14/2012 8:53:13 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=595 New Quick Review: Study of Childhood Education Program This study examined the effect of an early childhood education program on educational attainment by age 28, including on-time high school graduation, high school completion, and college attendance and graduation. The research described in this report meets WWC evidence standards with reservations. Individuals who attended the program may have differed from individuals in the comparison group in ways not controlled for in the analysis. 2/7/2012 8:30:00 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/QuickReviewSum.aspx?sid=182 WWC Reviews Study of Professional Development for Math Teachers This study examined whether a professional development program for seventh-grade mathematics teachers improved the teachers’ knowledge of rational number topics and the performance of their students on a rational number test. The research described in this report meets WWC evidence standards and is a well-executed randomized controlled trial with low attrition. 2/7/2012 8:30:00 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/QuickReviewSum.aspx?sid=181 The Incredible Years for Preschoolers with Disabilities? WWC Looks at the Research The Incredible Years is a program that focuses on building the social and emotional skills of children ages 0-12 who have exhibited difficult behavior. No studies of The Incredible Years for preschool children with disabilities meet WWC evidence standards. Therefore, the WWC is unable to draw any conclusions based on research about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the program for these students. 2/7/2012 8:30:00 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=586 New Quick Review: Study of Small Schools This study examined whether winning an admissions lottery for a small school of choice improved high school students’ progress toward graduation and graduation rates. The study analyzed data on more than 21,000 students in New York City who participated in a ninth-grade admissions lottery for a small school of choice. The research described in the report meets WWC evidence standards with reservations because carrying out the lotteries using the method described in the report may have resulted in nonrandom differences between the study groups. 1/31/2012 7:33:05 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/quickreviewsum.aspx?sid=161 WWC Reviews Research on Odyssey Reading for Adolescent Literacy Odyssey Reading is a web-based K–12 reading/language arts program that uses an interactive, differentiated instructional approach to teach students phonics, context, decoding, and comprehension. No studies of Odyssey Reading reviewed by the WWC meet WWC evidence standards. Therefore, the WWC is unable to draw any conclusions based on research about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of Odyssey Reading on adolescent learners. 1/31/2012 7:31:51 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=593 What Does the Research Say About Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for Adolescent Literacy? The Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies program is a supplementary component to the primary reading curriculum that incorporates peer-tutoring instruction. Based on its review of the research, the WWC finds the program to have potentially positive effects on comprehension for adolescent learners. 1/31/2012 7:29:31 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=367 What Works Clearinghouse Training Opportunity in Washington, DC January 24th and 25th The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring a 2-day training session in Washington, DC on January 24-25, 2012 on the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence standards and procedures for reviewing research. The training session is the first step in the process of becoming a WWC-certified reviewer. 1/9/2012 9:34:42 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/event.aspx?sid=1 New Quick Review Looks at Study of Kindergarten PAVEd for Success This study measured the effectiveness of the vocabulary program Kindergarten PAVEd for Success by collecting and analyzing data on 1,300 kindergarten students in 64 schools randomly assigned to supplement their core curriculum. Does the research meet WWC evidence standards for rigorous study designs? See the WWC rating and learn more about how the research was conducted and what the study found. 12/6/2011 11:02:54 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/QuickReviewSum.aspx?sid=172 WWC Reviews Research on The Incredible Years A program for children with challenging behaviors, The Incredible Years lessons cover recognizing and understanding feelings, getting along with friends, anger management, problem solving, and behavior at school. Parents receive training on positive discipline, promoting learning and development, and staying involved in children’s lives at school. 11/15/2011 9:23:17 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=590 New Literacy Report Looks at Research on Student Team Reading and Writing Programs See how the WWC rated the research on student team reading and writing, an integrated approach to reading and language arts for early adolescents. 11/15/2011 9:21:43 AM http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/interventionreport.aspx?sid=591