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Evidence-based policy: Hopes, Truths, and Lessons

Evidence-based policy: Hopes, Truths, and Lessons. 19 November 2008 Lee Elliot Major The Sutton Trust. EBP: the ideal?. Objective, agenda free academic pursues research Academic works through policy implications and main messages in detail Publishes peer reviewed research

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Evidence-based policy: Hopes, Truths, and Lessons

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  1. Evidence-based policy:Hopes, Truths, and Lessons 19 November 2008 Lee Elliot Major The Sutton Trust

  2. EBP: the ideal? • Objective, agenda free academic pursues research • Academic works through policy implications and main messages in detail • Publishes peer reviewed research • Policy makers take on research amongst other work and consider policy change • Pilot policy reform is evaluated, and then expanded or changed, or halted

  3. The reality: social mobility claims Social mobility "on the rise” - Reuters News UK, UK - 3 Nov 2008 ‘We have consulted widely…to ensure this paper recognises wide range of perspectives in this area’ - Liam Byrne, Minister of the Cabinet Office

  4. Social mobility claims • Politicians only cite research that backs their position, but claim EBP • Doesn’t matter if research isn’t published or peer reviewed • Press like simple stories; nuances, caveats are always lost • Never underestimate the power or speed of politics

  5. Selective research • Rutter research and Tory education policies in 1980s • PISA results and Labour • Feinstein -- early years inequalities • Heckman and Obama

  6. What in common? • Specialist schools • Academies • Diplomas • Choice and competition • League tables

  7. Successes (NPD-PLASC) • HE participation driven by early attainment (NCEE) • Competition does not benefit standards in the current system • Highly segregated schools • Impact of the EMA

  8. Media flaws • Counter-factuals • Complexity • Statistics • Regressions • Controversy • Fleeting interest

  9. Incessant reform Secretary of State for Education and Science Kenneth Baker (1988) John MacGregor Kenneth Clarke Secretary of State for Education John Patten Gillian Shepherd Secretary of State for Education and Employment Gillian Shepherd David Blunkett Secretary of State for Education and Skills Estelle Morris Charles Clarke Ruth Kelly Alan Johnson Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls (2008) Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham (2008)

  10. Academic imperfections • Policy afterthought • Inexpert views • Fixed views and agendas • Selective interpretation • Media afterthought

  11. Lessons • Everyone has prior value views – so an uphill task for evidence to overcome these • Academic and policy worlds are polar extremes • Interpretation/dissemination is key • Know the way it works

  12. What to do? • Policy analysis as part of academic papers/joint conferences • Recognition for policy impact • Accessible research summaries • Involve policy expertise/discussion earlier • Be simple, timely and tactical • Be consistent

  13. Questions • Should academics delve in policy development? • Should policy reform be a key rationale for publicly funded research? • Should non-peer reviewed research influence policy? • Policy peer review? • Should all research be made available?

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