Evidence Isn’t Everything
The Bush administration is advocating “evidence-based education.” Considering all the fads and impractical programs we have had in the education field over the years, this is a step forward. But we have to be careful! In the past, when various fads have been imposed on teachers, those advocating them have submitted “evidence.” The evidence often sounded good. But the trouble was:
They ignored contrary evidence and only submitted evidence that favored their fad.
No attempt was made to falsify the program. If such an attempt were made, it would often have shown that the program was impractical.
In 2002 Congress passed H.R. 3801, an act “to provide for improvement of Federal education research, statistics, evaluation, information, and dissemination, and for other purposes.”
It specifies scientifically valid research. Properly interpreted, this means research following the scientific method. When educational researchers follow the scientific method, they are obligated not to ignore contrary evidence and to attempt to falsify the hypothesis.
Thus, if this act is properly enforced, we will have a big improvement in educational research and more practical leadership from our top educational leaders.
