Science of Learning Institute

Science of Learning Institute

How students learn, graded by the evidence.

Fourteen principles from the science of learning, each graded from Proven in classrooms to Retired, with tools built for parents, teachers, principals, superintendents and state leaders.

Find your roleBrowse the principles

Every practice carries one of four grades. See how we grade.

Reviewed · 1 min read

Only randomized trials in real schools earn the top gradeThe four grades shown on every card
  1. Proven in classroomsRandomized trials in real schools, plus a lab reason it works
  2. StrongMany controlled experiments; fewer classroom trials, same direction
  3. PromisingSound theory, some experiments; classroom results thin or mixed
  4. RetiredTested and failed, or never properly tested

Principles

The deepest evidence sits in early reading and grades 3 to 8 mathTrial evidence specific to each grade band and subject, from the 16 grade pages
The deepest evidence sits in early reading and grades 3 to 8 math
K–23–56–89–12
Reading and ELADeepphonics trialsSomelottery studyThinnone specificThinnone specific
MathSomecurriculum trialDeepfraction trialsDeepmixing trialSomeChicago tutoring
ScienceSomeMORE trialSomeKlahr studiesSomequizzing studiesThinnone specific
Social studiesSomelottery, MOREThincorrelation onlySomequizzing studiesThinnone specific
Deep: several trials hereSome: one or two strong studiesThin: carried over from other grades

Source: judged from the studies cited on each of the 16 grade pages

New learning has to squeeze through a small working memoryThe model every page on the site builds from
EnvironmentWhat students see and hear in class
Working memoryAbout 4 new items at onceFills up fast
Forgotten if not practiced
Long-term memoryNo known limitWhere knowledge lives

Source: Cowan 2001, on the limit of working memory

What we don't know yet

  • How best to combine these practices in a full school program; scaled multi-strategy trials have often shown small effects (Perry(opens in a new tab)).
  • How well most findings hold for children under 7; the EEF found little early-years evidence (Tes(opens in a new tab)).

Sources

  1. Perry, what we don't know (opens in a new tab)

    my.chartered.college

  2. Tes on the EEF review: what next for cognitive science in the classroom (opens in a new tab)

    tes.com

Tools