Education Endowment Foundation:Two new EEF evaluation reports published, focused on early language development and improving Key Stage 4 science

Two new EEF evaluation reports published, focused on early language development and improving Key Stage 4 science

Author
EEF
EEF
Press Release •1 minute •

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has today published independent evaluations of two EEF-funded projects.

Manor Park Talks

Eight nurseries took part in this pilot of a project for early years staff to help them to identify and support children with early language development difficulties. Delivered by Sheringham Nursery School, it aims to create pedagogical change in the settings through a set of core strategies that practitioners can be trained to deliver, whilst also aiming to achieve impact without significantly increasing practitioner workload.

The independent evaluation by NatCen found that the full set of 5 strategies that practitioners were initially introduced to was perceived to be daunting. The project was revised as a result to focus on specific conversational responsiveness techniques. This was found by the evaluation to be easier to apply than the full set of strategies set out in the initial design and suitable for implementing across all early years settings in Newham.

The full pilot report, together with the EEF’s commentary on the findings, is available here.

Science Self-Testing Toolkit

12 schools and 2,100 Key Stage 4 students took part in this pilot of the Science Self-Testing Toolkit (SSTT), co-funded with Wellcome Trust as part of our Improving Science Education funding round. Through a suite of five evidence-informed, content-free strategies to be used and deployed by teachers, students and parents, SSTT aimed to encourage students to engage in active retrieval of knowledge throughout the curriculum, as well as during revision.

The independent evaluation, again by NatCen, found that students, as well as heads of science and science teachers, responded well to the project. However, it was felt further development was needed before SSTT is suitable to be trialled.

The full pilot report, together with the EEF’s commentary on the findings, is available here.