NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act Scientifically Based Research Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the No Child Left Behind Act, "scientifically based research" is characterized by the application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures. Which of the following is an essential component of this definition?
- The research is based on teacher anecdotes and testimonials.
- The research has been evaluated by a peer-review process or a panel of independent experts. (Correct answer)
- The research findings align with the district's current educational philosophy.
- The research was published in a popular, non-academic education magazine.
Correct answer: The research has been evaluated by a peer-review process or a panel of independent experts.
NCLB specifically required that to be considered 'scientifically based,' research must be accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a panel of independent experts through a rigorous and objective review. This ensures a level of quality control and validation by the scientific community, distinguishing it from anecdotal reports or non-academic publications.
Question 2: A school district is considering adopting a new mathematics curriculum to comply with NCLB's emphasis on using proven methods. They are reviewing four different programs. Which program's evidence most closely aligns with the principles of "scientifically based research"?
- Program A, which has received glowing testimonials from teachers in a neighboring district.
- Program B, which is based on a well-established educational theory but has not yet been formally tested in classrooms.
- Program C, which showed positive results in a single-classroom case study conducted by the curriculum's developer.
- Program D, which was validated through a large-scale study using random assignment of students to either the new curriculum or a control group, with results published in a peer-reviewed journal. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Program D, which was validated through a large-scale study using random assignment of students to either the new curriculum or a control group, with results published in a peer-reviewed journal.
NCLB placed a strong preference on experimental or quasi-experimental designs, especially randomized controlled trials (random assignment), as they are best suited to determine causal relationships. Program D's use of random assignment, its large scale, and its publication in a peer-reviewed journal meet the highest standards of scientifically based research under the act.
Question 3: What was the primary purpose for including the "scientifically based research" requirement in the No Child Left Behind Act?
- To ensure that federal funding was directed toward educational programs and practices that had a proven record of effectiveness. (Correct answer)
- To mandate a single, uniform national curriculum for all public schools.
- To increase the publication rate of university-based education researchers.
- To reduce the amount of time teachers needed to spend on professional development activities.
Correct answer: To ensure that federal funding was directed toward educational programs and practices that had a proven record of effectiveness.
The term 'scientifically based research' appears over 100 times in the NCLB legislation. Its central purpose was to move educational practices away from fads and toward methods proven to work, thereby ensuring that federal funds were spent on interventions most likely to improve student achievement.
Question 4: The No Child Left Behind Act's definition of scientifically based research includes several key criteria. Which of the following is NOT a required characteristic for research to be considered "scientifically based" under NCLB?
- It relies on systematic, empirical methods and rigorous data analysis.
- Its methods and results are detailed enough to allow for replication by others.
- The findings must be unanimously agreed upon by all experts in the field. (Correct answer)
- It uses experimental or quasi-experimental designs where appropriate to evaluate an intervention's effects.
Correct answer: The findings must be unanimously agreed upon by all experts in the field.
While NCLB required rigorous peer review, it did not mandate unanimous agreement among all experts. Science often involves debate and differing interpretations of data. The key requirement was that the research methodology was sound, systematic, and objective, and that it had passed a formal, expert review process, not that its conclusions were universally undisputed.
Question 5: A software vendor tells a school principal that their new reading intervention is supported by "scientifically based research" as defined by NCLB. The vendor presents a study showing that students in one school who used the software improved their reading scores over the year. What critical question should the principal ask to determine if this claim is valid?
- "Is the software compatible with our current computer hardware?"
- "Was there a control or comparison group of similar students who did not use the software?" (Correct answer)
- "How many teachers have said they enjoy using the software?"
- "Can we get a discount for purchasing a district-wide license?"
Correct answer: "Was there a control or comparison group of similar students who did not use the software?"
A core principle of SBR under NCLB was the ability to determine if an intervention caused an effect. To do this, an experimental or quasi-experimental design is needed, which requires a control or comparison group to rule out other factors that could have caused the improvement (like normal student maturation). Without a comparison group, it's impossible to attribute the gains solely to the software.
Question 6: Which of the following research methods was most strongly emphasized by the No Child Left Behind Act as a means of establishing that an educational practice is supported by scientifically based research?
- Qualitative case studies
- Action research conducted by classroom teachers
- Randomized controlled trials (Correct answer)
- Correlational studies without statistical controls
Correct answer: Randomized controlled trials
NCLB's definition of SBR gave preference to experimental designs, with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) considered the most rigorous method for establishing causal links between an intervention and an outcome. This approach was sometimes referred to as the 'medical model' of research.
NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act Scientifically Based Research Questions and Answers
According to the No Child Left Behind Act, "scientifically based research" is characterized by the application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures.
Which of the following is an essential component of this definition?