Best Practice
What is best practice in education?
According to education researchers, Steven Zemelman, Harvey Daniels, and Arthur Hyde, "If a professional is following best practice standards, he or she is aware of current research and consistently offers clients the full benefits of the latest knowledge, technology, and procedures." Best Practice, Today's Standards for Teaching and Learning in America's Schools. 3rd ed. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2005. What does this mean with respect to education? While it is a widely used term in education circles, there is not a universal definition. However, based on this definition, "best practice" means what works in classrooms, based on research, which provides students with the full benefits of latest knowledge, technology and procedures.
The common characteristics of best practice are: instruction is research-based; it includes latest technology, knowledge and procedures; it is successful across student populations; and it applies across content areas and grade levels. In other words, education is considered best practice when it exemplifies these characteristics. As depicted in this website, balanced literacy instruction exemplifies these characteristics, as seen in its guiding principles, key elements and implementation.
The common characteristics of best practice are: instruction is research-based; it includes latest technology, knowledge and procedures; it is successful across student populations; and it applies across content areas and grade levels. In other words, education is considered best practice when it exemplifies these characteristics. As depicted in this website, balanced literacy instruction exemplifies these characteristics, as seen in its guiding principles, key elements and implementation.