What Works in Education: Evidence-Based Education Policies from edX

This course has been organized around five key features of successful education systems:

High goals for student achievement that guide all activities within an education system;
Access to high-quality early childhood and preschool development programs that prepare students entering the school system;
Effective teachers to improve learning and reduce achievement gaps among students;
Access and effective use of adequate resources in all schools to promote student learning; and
Ensuring that all young people acquire the skills necessary to reach their full potential in the professional world and contribute to society.

This course is "self-paced" so you can enroll at any time, even if the course has been open for a while. You can take it at the time that is most suitable for you inside the enrollment period of the course.

If you opt for the Audit track, you could complete the course free and have 10 weeks to take the course from the day you subscribed.

If you opt for the Verified track , you can access the course in an unlimited way and complete the qualified evaluations until the closing date, after making a payment of $25 . If you pass, in addition to the verified certificate, you will obtain a digital badge *that allows you to change the way you share your academic and professional achievements, as for example, on social media.

*Did you know there is a financial aid to opt for the verified certificate?

EdX financial help: edX offers financial assistance for learners who want to earn Verified Certificates but who may not be able to pay the Verified Certificate fee. Subscribe to the course and apply for financial assistance.

What you'll learn

The course’s target audience includes those with interest in improving education through evidence-based education policies.

The latest proven policies in education
An applied understanding of which policies promote learning
Evidence-based reform
Successful cases from Latin America and the Caribbean and the rest of the world.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The latest proven policies in education
An applied understanding of which policies promote learning

Evidence-based reform
Successful cases from latin america and the caribbean and the rest of the world.

The latest proven policies in education
An applied understanding of which policies promote learning
Evidence-based reform
Successful cases from latin america and the caribbean and the rest of the world.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction

We will spend this module researching the main issues of education systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, while introducing the 5 dimensions of success in education policy that we will delve into in the following modules.

Module 2: High goals

Establish the need to define high-level student learning goals that guide all activities of the education system.

Module 3: Early education

To ensure that all students enter the school system ready to learn we must provide full access to high-quality early childhood development (ECD) and preschool programs.

Module 4: Effective teachers

We will understand why it is important to have high-quality teachers, and we will discuss the characteristics that a good teacher should have. and we will see how appropriate policies can help our region to improve teacher quality through an improvement in recruiting and talent management.

Module 5: Adequate resources

We will discuss how to ensure that all schools have adequate infrastructure, finance and technological resources and be able to use them effectively for improving learning. We will also address one of the most important issues our region faces in education: how to ensure that resources have a positive impact on most vulnerable populations.

Module 6: Relevant skills

We will discuss how to promote education policy to ensure that all young people acquire the necessary skills to achieve their maximum potential in the workplace and contribute to society.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for individuals interested in improving education through evidence-based education policies

Covers the latest proven policies in education

Provides an understanding of which policies promote learning

Offers real-world examples of successful cases from Latin America and the Caribbean and the rest of the world

Exploration of the need for defining high-level student learning goals

Course access is self-paced

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in What Works in Education: Evidence-Based Education Policies with these activities:

Review core concepts of educational psychology

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Strengthen your foundation in key concepts to better understand how students learn, develop, and interact in educational settings.

Browse courses on Educational Psychology

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Revisit your notes or textbooks from previous coursework in educational psychology
Participate in online discussions or forums to engage with other learners

Review Principles of Educational Policy

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Review foundational principles of educational policy to lay a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Policy Analysis

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Revisit theories of learning and instruction.
Review the role of stakeholders in educational policymaking.
Examine historical and contemporary educational policies.

Follow tutorials on using technology for data-driven decision-making in education

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Enhance your understanding of how technology can support the effective use of data to improve educational outcomes by participating in hands-on tutorials.

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Enroll in online tutorials on data visualization and analysis
Apply the acquired skills to real-world education datasets

Seven other activities

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Analyze Educational Data

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Practice analyzing educational data to identify trends and patterns.

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Learn basic statistical concepts.
Use data visualization tools to explore data.
Interpret data to draw conclusions.

Practice exercises on evaluating research evidence in education

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Reinforce your understanding of how to critically analyze and utilize research findings for informed decision-making in education.

Browse courses on Research Evaluation

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Solve practice problems on research design and methodology
Analyze case studies of research evaluation in the field

Develop an Educational Policy Proposal

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Design an educational policy proposal that addresses a specific educational challenge.

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Identify target group and educational issue.
Conduct research on best practices and evidence-based solutions.
Develop policy objectives and strategies.
Plan for implementation and evaluation.

Attend a conference or networking event in the field of education policy

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Connect with professionals in your field, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and gather insights to enhance your knowledge and professional development.

Browse courses on Education Policy

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Identify and register for a relevant conference or networking event
Attend sessions and engage with speakers and attendees

Attend a workshop on culturally responsive pedagogy

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Expand your understanding of how cultural factors influence learning and explore strategies to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.

Browse courses on Culturally Responsive Teaching

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Identify and attend a workshop on culturally responsive pedagogy
Reflect on the principles and practices of culturally responsive teaching
Apply these principles to your own teaching or educational work

Book: Policy Elites and Policy Change: How Inside Knowledge Shapes Education Politics

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By summarizing key points in this book, you'll gain insights into how knowledge impacts the implementation of education policy.

Browse courses on Education Policy

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Read and take notes on chapters 1-3
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in these chapters

Create a proposal for an evidence-based education policy reform

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Develop a tangible proposal that applies principles from the course to enhance the effectiveness of education policy in a practical setting.

Browse courses on Evidence-Based Policymaking

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Identify a specific policy area for improvement
Conduct research to gather evidence on effective practices
Draft a policy proposal that incorporates evidence-based solutions

Career center

Learners who complete What Works in Education: Evidence-Based Education Policies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Education Policymaker

Education Policymakers create and implement policies that affect schools and students. This course would be helpful for an Education Policymaker because it offers an understanding of the key features of successful education systems and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policymaker

Superintendent of Schools

Superintendents of Schools oversee the entire school district. This course would be helpful for a Superintendent of Schools because it offers an understanding of the key features of successful education systems and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Superintendent of Schools

Dean of Education

Deans of Education oversee the academic and administrative operations of schools of education. This course would be helpful for a Dean of Education because it offers an understanding of the key features of successful education systems and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dean of Education

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. This course would be helpful for a Policy Analyst who works in the field of education because it offers an understanding of the key features of successful education systems and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Professor of Education

Professors of Education teach and conduct research on education policies and practices. This course would be helpful for a Professor of Education because it offers an understanding of the latest research on evidence-based education policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor of Education

Education Advocate

Education Advocates work to improve the quality of education for all students. This course would be helpful for an Education Advocate because it offers an understanding of the key features of successful education systems and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Advocate

Teacher

Teachers provide instruction to students in a variety of subjects. This course would be helpful for a Teacher because it offers an understanding of the latest proven policies in education and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

School Administrator

School Administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of schools. This course may be useful for a School Administrator because it provides an understanding of the latest proven policies in education and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Administrator

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers create and design educational materials and programs. This course may be useful for a Curriculum Developer because it provides an understanding of the latest proven policies in education and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the implementation of education programs and initiatives. This course would be helpful for a Program Manager who works in the field of education because it offers an understanding of the key features of successful education systems and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Literacy Coach

Literacy Coaches work with teachers to improve their instruction and help students develop strong literacy skills. This course may be useful for a Literacy Coach because it provides an understanding of the latest proven policies in education and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Literacy Coach

Education Consultant

Education Consultants provide advice and support to schools and other educational institutions on how to improve their policies and practices. This course would be helpful for an Education Consultant because it offers an applied understanding of which policies promote learning and how to implement evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers develop and deliver educational programs and materials. This course may be useful for an Instructional Designer because it provides an understanding of the latest proven policies in education and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Education Researcher

Education Researchers conduct research on education policies and practices to identify what works and what doesn't. This course may be useful for an Education Researcher because it provides an overview of the latest research on evidence-based education policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Researcher

Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts create and evaluate education policies that affect schools and students. This course may be useful for an Education Policy Analyst because it provides an understanding of the latest proven policies in education and how to promote learning through evidence-based reform.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policy Analyst