Canal-U

Scaling Up Proven Programs: Why and How - Slavin

In order to bring about significant and cost-effective improvements in student learning in whole systems of schools, it is
important to identify effective programs, practices, and materials, and then scale them up broadly. This is the way fields such as
medicine, agriculture, and technology have advanced, and education must embrace the same dynamic. But how can this be
done? This presentation discusses the why and the how of scaling up proven programs in education. First, it discusses how
promising programs need to be evaluated to ensure that they are worth scaling. Then it discusses how complete programs
requiring extensive professional development and coaching can be scaled up to serve many schools. Finally, the presentation
discusses policy issues that need to be addressed in order to foster all parts of the development/evaluation/scale-up process,
and why these elements need to be addressed in a coordinated way.
Slavin, R. E. (2008). Evidence-based reform in Education: What will it take? European Educational Research Journal, 7 (1)