Conversations in Education Research Questions: 1.What are the ‘keys’ to a successful research partnership? 2.How do we identify research priorities? 3.How can research be connected to board and provincial policy? 4.When do we ‘know’? When is the evidence ‘good enough’? 5.What should partners be doing to mobilize the knowledge created by their work? 6.How can we expand research capacity in school boards? 7.How can teachers access research knowledge? 8.How do we engage students as researchers and knowledge builders?

Where are we now? Variability in capacity Emerging partnerships and collaboration A culture shift is occurring in which evidence is increasingly valued

Where do we want to be? Sustained focus on student learning Evidence embedded in practice at all levels Access to and application of research and evaluation knowledge Deliberate and collaborative processes to set policy Policy and practice reflective of all voices Sustainable links between research, policy and practice

How are we going to get there? Create mechanisms-models for effective collaboration Develop common research ethics guidelines Increase organizational capacity to use research Respect students and teachers as knowledge builders

“It doesn’t matter if you’re on the right track, if you’re standing still.” Will Rogers

A JAZZ BAND NOT A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Our collective work Figuring out what promotes human learning AND Keeping the main thing the main thing!

Managing Perpetual Motion Successful synergies among research, policy and practice require that all partners RESHAPE SHIFT FLEX

The OERP’s Commitment Building bridges to make learning irresistible for students and the adults who serve them by: Being a catalyst for research Identifying research needs and shared areas of interests Encouraging the culture of inquiry Fostering collaboration Supporting knowledge exchange and mobilization

Complex times require conspicuous optimism New learning destroys old truths Moral energy is a renewable resource