Building Better Schools with Evidence-based Policy

When Dr Kelly-Ann Allen first mentioned the Building Better Schools with Evidence-based Policy: Adaptable Policy for Teachers and School Leaders project as a resource for educators, it was difficult to imagine how the diverse issues could be addressed to make the volume both accessible and relevant to a world-wide audience. Dr Allen, Professor Andrea Reupert, and Lindsay Oades have made it happen. Whilst unique in concept it is universal in application. With prominent researchers and educators making their specialist contributions on a range of big topics that address, for example, climate emergency, whole school approaches to policy, and assessment of wellbeing of individuals, the forty chapters bring to light the many issues that occupy educators’ minds. Significant topics are addressed and supported by research evidence and experience in the field. The no-cost ready accessibility of the volume should make it an educator’s compendium for policy and innovation for many years to come. Dr Allen and Professors Reupert and Oades should be congratulated for bringing together this unique gift to educators-Erica Frydenberg AM PhD, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne Building Better Schools with Evidence-based Policy: Adaptable Policy for Teachers and School Leaders is a must-have for all professional educators. This book provides an extraordinary collection of evidenced-based strategies that can be readily implemented as policy. The book stands out in particular because in addition to focusing on academic policies, it includes numerous chapters that address socioemotional and cultural aspects of educational policy that are essential for student success-Eric M. Anderman, Professor, Educational Psychology, The Ohio State University Professional practice should be based on sound evidence of the likelihood of positive effects. This comprehensive collection provides teachers and researchers with the tools to implement school policies based on robust research evidence. It is a significant resource in enabling evidence-based approaches to inform the ongoing development of schooling-Professor David Carless, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong A significant body of educational research resides in peer-reviewed journals and is rarely translated into practical practice and policy that can be accessed by teachers, school staff, and leaders who arguably need it the most. Building Better Schools with Evidence-based Policy: Adaptable Policy for Teachers and School Leaders takes what is often invisible to school staff and makes it relevant, accessible and usable. Users of this book can rest assured that each policy has been carefully crafted from quality research and is formulated with contemporary understandings of best practice-Professor Jim Watterston, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne The book provides an outstanding international collection of scholarly research that integrates the day-to-day practices occurring in schools for readers. The book is essential reading for academics, school professionals and policy makers interested in time-saving and practical ideas to make worthwhile and meaningful decisions-Professor Susie Garvis Chair of Department of Education, Swinburne University of Technology This comprehensive book provides a guide for schools on how to integrate research evidence into the everyday practices and policies of schools. An impressive breadth of topical issues are addressed ranging from staff and student wellbeing, to entrepreneurship, digital technologies, promoting educational equity, catering for students who are gifted, homeless, transgender, and school policy development among a range of other topics. This book is an extremely valuable resource for school practitioners and educators and is a welcome addition to the current literature on implementing evidence-based policy in schools-Margaret M. Barry, PhD, Professor of Health Promotion and Public Health, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion Research, NUI Galway, Ireland.