SEG Research Supports U.S. Department of Education's call for "rock hard evidence" to support Educational Innovation Proposals
Educational research firm cautions against using products and services from educational publishers without scientific evidence of effectiveness

NEW HOPE, PA, September 01, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- SEG Research (www.segmeasurement.com), a Pennsylvania educational assessment and research firm, endorsed the U.S. Department of Education's call for educational innovation proposals seeking government funding to provide solid research support.

"Resources should only be devoted to innovations supported by scientifically-based research." said Scott Elliot, President of SEG Research. "The Department of Education and schools should be funding proven innovations."

The requirements for the I3 Fund that will fund educational innovation in the schools were announced by by James H. Shelton, the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement in a speech given last week in Washington, D.C. Shelton called for the educational community to "get beyond the anecdotes" and indicated that innovation grant proposals should be supported by "rock hard evidence".

"Anecdotal support is no substitute for scientifically-based effectiveness research", explained Elliot. "While anecdotal evidence such as testimonials and case studies can shed additional light on scientific research findings, it should not be accepted as proof of effectiveness."

Elliot pointed to several good examples of organizations that have worked with SEG Research to conduct scientifically-based effectiveness studies, including National Geographic School Publishing-Hampton Brown (www.ngsp.com), BrainPOP (www.brainpop.com) , and Heinle ELT (www.elt.heinle.com).

Press Release Contact Information:

Scott Elliot
SEG Research | SEG Assessment
President
31 Pheasant Run
New Hope, PA
USA 18938
Voice: 2677590617
Fax: 2156936205
Website: Visit Our Website