It is Very Clear what Improves Educational Results and What Does Not

Abstract

The scientific literature has demonstrated Successful Educational Actions (SEAs) as those that achieve the greatest success in instrumental learning, well-being, and overcoming violence. However, the longitudinal evolution of such actions in a set of schools implementing the same SEAs in one region has not been studied. This research addresses this gap by conducting two comparative analyses in Catalonia: 1) comparing the results in standardized tests from a specific school that has implemented SEAs since 2017 with the results in the same tests in all schools in Catalonia; and 2) comparing the results in standardized tests from schools that implement the same SEAs with the results in the same tests in all schools in Catalonia. Moreover, interviews have been conducted with teachers, family members and students from the specific school. Results indicate this school’s outcomes in mathematics and language have improved in time, exceeding the average in Catalonia despite being a low-SES school with a significant immigration rate. Similar improvements have been observed in the ten schools, but not in Catalonia. Furthermore, qualitative data reveal that the improvements in the specific school’s instrumental areas have coincided with a positive improvement towards achieving zero violence, also as a result of the SEAs.