Why Education Research Needs More Development

Teachers in the United States are facing various challenges and changes in their schools, and they need research to drive the development of tools that can help them in the classroom. Current obstacles include the persistent achievement gaps among low-income students and students of color; changing demographics in the classroom; and the opportunities and potential drawbacks presented by educational technology, including the possibility that technology will contribute to growing achievement gaps. Unfortunately, education research has fallen short of helping practitioners in the field develop and implement the new technologies and strategies that are necessary for success. This argument is not new. Education research has long been the subject of criticism, much of it justified. However, the real problem is that education research rarely is oriented toward education development. This must change in order for student outcomes to improve, particularly among students of color and students from low-income areas.