Research Use by Leaders
in Canadian Secondary Schools
Using interventions to increase the
mobilization of knowledge in schools
Principal Investigators: Ben Levin & Creso Sá
Presenters: Amanda Cooper & Kathy Thompson
~Ontario Education Research Symposium, February 17-19, 2010~
Research Questions
• How do secondary school leaders learn about
research findings?
• In what ways do the school systems support the
use of research?
• What knowledge do educational leaders have
about some important research findings related
to improving secondary schools?
• What interventions might improve the
availability and use of research in schools?
The Survey: Two Parts
Research
Culture
Report &
Analyze
data
sources
Research
Activities:
Events,
Resources,
Networking
Sample
Research
focused
events
School
practices
Research
Use
•11 school districts
•188 responses
Knowledge
Claims
Level of
agreement
with the claim
Source of
information that
supports your
knowledge of this
statement
Importance of the
source of
information in your
acceptance of this
particular claim
Findings on Research Culture
1. Increasing profile of research in education
▫ 85% agree that the important role of research is evident
within their district
2. Reported district capacity and support
▫
▫
▫
▫
Research-related PD (85%)
Data incorporated in school, district planning (78%)
Research articles circulated (75%)
Time and support for research
3. Actual research use remains modest
▫ Only a quarter to a third report significant time spent on
research related reading, events or networking
Findings on Knowledge Claims
• Of 6 well verified knowledge claims about
secondary school student success, there was:
▫ Agreement on 3 knowledge claims
 Student disengagement (94% agreement)
 Similar demographics, different outcomes (79% agreement)
 Quality of teaching and learning (87% agreement)
▫ Disagreement on 3 knowledge claims:
 Failing a course affects drop out (63% agree; 24% disagree)
 Grades predict post-secondary success (39% agree; 36%
disagree)
 Students believe that school prepares them (37% agree; 36%
disagree)
Sources of Knowledge
Reported Across all Claims
PD events,
Seminars, Conferences
Research Reports
Data Collected in your
School District
Colleagues ,
Professional networks
Personal Experience
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Total responses for use of the source
700
Implications for Districts
• Providing supports for research use
▫ Formal research capacity
▫ Research related PD
▫ Formal roles throughout the system
• Embedding research in processes and systems
▫ Placing research on meeting agendas
▫ Structured time to discuss research & link to strategic plans
• More partnerships with third parties
▫ Universities, research providers
• Communicate research to the community
▫ Portals, shared spaces, data access
Thank You!
www.oise.utoronto.ca/rspe