What's New

Summary

The latest information from BES including a new paper about using evidence to accelerate improvement in education.

New BES exemplars are now available online.

Using evidence to improve education and serve the public good

Read a new paper about systematic improvement in education. This paper draws upon findings across the best evidence syntheses to explain:

what works in education, why, and how; and
what makes a bigger difference to accelerate improvement.

The intention of the paper is to inform action to advance improvement in valued outcomes for diverse (all) learners in schooling. Within that, the specific intention is to accelerate improvement for Māori succeeding as Māori, Pasifika learners, learners from low socio-economic status families, and learners with special needs.

The Use of Evidence to Improve Education and Serve the Public Good
The Use of Evidence to Improve Education and Service the Public Good [PDF 1MB]
Paper prepared for the New Zealand Ministry of Education and the meeting of the
American Research Association Vancouver Canada (April 2012).

BES Introductory Flyer

For a quick introduction to the work of the Iterative Best Evidence Synthesis Programme see below:

BES Introductory Flyer - in English
Making a bigger difference: using the findings of the
BES Programme - an introductory flyer [PDF 780.5KB]

BES Introductory Flyer - in Te Reo Māori
Kia kaha ake ai te whaihua [PDF 1.1MB]

High Impact Research and Development BES Spotlight:

Making a bigger difference for our children. Research and development for educationally powerful connections

This is an interview between Michael Deaker and Dr Mere Berryman, Senior Research Fellow, Te Kotahitanga Research Unit, Waikato University and focuses on key aspects of the development, implementation and evaluation of key tools in the Poutama Pounamu programme. These tools include:

Ripene Āwhina ki te Pānui Pukapuka (RĀPP)
Tuhi atu, tuhi mai
Tatari Tautoko Tauawhi
Te Tāuta Reta (TATA)

To play this interview please refer to the downloads/links box to the right.

You can read more about the high impact Poutama Pounamu research and development in Chapter 7 of the School Leadership and Student Outcomes: Identifying What Works and Why best evidence synthesis.

New BES Quality Teaching Cases - Professional Learning Resources for Schools - now new BES Exemplars available online from April 2012

    How to Raise Achievement, reduce disparities and counter bullying
Developing communities of mathematical inquiry [PDF 817KB]
         To access this case online please refer to the Downloads/Links box to the right.

The Ministry of Education is updating the first best evidence synthesis (BES):

Quality Teaching for Diverse (All) Learners in Schooling: Best Evidence Synthesis.
He Ako Reikura, He Ākonga Rerekura (Te Katoa) Hei Kete Reikura (BES)

Feedback from principals and teachers has been that BES cases are useful to support professional learning. So we have given priority to a series of cases of outstanding teaching practice designed to support professional learning in areas of educational challenge.

The cases have been selected from hundreds of research studies because they show how teachers can make a much bigger difference to valued outcomes for all students in a class through working smarter (not harder). The cases also address our biggest challenge of better meeting the needs of the diversity of students in our schools.

In this way the BES Programme celebrates and shares the outstanding work of New Zealand educators, teacher educators, professional leaders and others engaged in research and development. We are providing access to their knowledge and experience as a resource for educational improvement that meets the needs of both students and teachers.

Contact BES

If you have any questions about BES, please contact us at:

Iterative Best Evidence Synthesis Programme
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Thorndon, Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 463-7572
Fax: +64 4 463-8088
Email: best.evidence@minedu.govt.nz

Orders

All teachers and people involved in education in New Zealand can order copies of the four most recent BESs directly from:
orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz