naeyc

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Evidence-Based Practice
Linda C. Halgunseth, PhD Office of Applied
Research www.naeyc.org
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Definition of Evidence-Based Practice

• a decision-making process that integrates the
  best available research evidence with family and
  professional wisdom and values (Buysee Wesley,
  2006)

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Evidence-Based Four General Areas

• Position Statements/Standards
• Publications/Conferences

• Public Policy/QRIS Initiatives
• Office of Applied Research

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1. POSITION STATEMENTS

• Over 20 position statements
• Purpose
• Process

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Two Examples

• DEC/NAEYC
• Joint Statement on Inclusion
• DAP Distance Learning

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STANDARDSAccreditation

• Academy
• 10 Standards
• (Relationships, Curriculum, Teaching, Assessment
  of Child Progress, Health, Teachers, Families,
  Community Relationships, Physical Environment,
  Leadership and Management)
• II. Teacher Preparation
• 5 Standards
• (Promote Child Development Learning, Building
  Family and Community Relationships, Observing,
  Documenting and Assessing to Support Young
  Children and Families, Teaching and Learning,
  Becoming a Professional)

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Process for Standards

• Similar to Position Statements
• Work Group of Experts
• References Linked to Each Standard
• Draft Presented to and Feedback Elicited From
  Practitioner Field
• Online
• Conference Session
• Invitation
• Regular Reviews/Revisions

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2. PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCES

• Questions
• To Researchers What would this look like in
  the classroom?
• To Practitioners Is information grounded in
  developmental theory and research?
• Journals
• ECRQ, Young Children, Teaching Young Children
• Books

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Wisdom of Field

• Voices of Practitioners
• NAEYC Annual Conference and Professional
  Development Institute

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3. PUBLIC POLICY

• QRIS Initiatives and Support
• Support State Decision-makers and Policy makers
  Understanding and Implementation of QRIS

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4. OFFICE OF APPLIED RESEARCH

• Wingspread Conference
• 25 Recommendations
• Office of Applied Research
• Presentations Demonstrate Links Between Research,
  Policy, and Practice
• Research-to-Practice Briefs

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Conclusion

• History of Integrating Empirical Research and
  Wisdom/Knowledge of Field
• Position Statements, Standards, Conferences,
  Public Policy, and Publications
• Renewed Commitment to strengthen NAEYCs
  dissemination efforts of evidence-based practices
• Office of Applied Research, Wingspread

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Reference

• Buysse, V. Wesley, P.W. (2006). Evidence-based
  practice in the early childhood field.
  Washington, DC ZERO TO THREE Press.

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THANK YOU!

• Linda C. Halgunseth, PhD
• Coordinator, Office of Applied Research
• National Association for the Education of Young
  Children (NAEYC)
• 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 400
• Washington, DC 20005
• LHalgunseth_at_naeyc.org
• www.naeyc.org