At the Arizona K-12 Center, finding and supporting the most effective
practices in education is imperative to the accomplishment of our goals.
This has led us to focus on the identification of Best Practices. Best
Practices are research-based instructional or staff development practices
that are most effective and equitable in generating improved student learning
outcomes.
In an effort to disseminate the information gathered, the Center has
established the Best Practices Clearinghouse, a compilation of recognized
programs, and additional resources and links, which provides educators
and the community with research-based criteria and programs on "what
works" in K-12 Education.
The clearinghouse includes a database with information to ease decision-making
on school reform initiatives, resources, and curriculum research documentation.
Evaluating educational practices and disseminating that information has
led to the emergence of four areas as the foundation of the clearinghouse:
- Reviews of Education Programs: Includes links to reports of education
programs that have been widely implemented, such as the Education Commission
of the States at http://www.ecs.org.
- Examples of Excellence in Arizona: Includes information and links
to various programs in Arizona that recognize excellence in education
such as Arizona's School-to-Work Five Star Outstanding Practices (http://www.commerce.state.az.us/stw/background.html).
- Effective Instructional Practices: Includes references and links to
research evaluating the effectiveness of various educational practices
such as the Review of Educational Research (http://www.aera.net/pubs/rer).
- Best Practice Instructional Strategies: Includes instructional strategies
that have been reviewed and recommended as best practices and a rubric
for the evaluation of strategies.
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