Evidence Base
A collection of research and research questions
Embedded Files
While the TeachThera model has not yet been empirically tested, its components and underlying principles have been researched. This section will endeavor to show this.
In this section, we will explore current research and pose research questions for further study. Our explorations here will start with a question/inquiry.
Evidence-based practice is vital for any organization that provides education and therapy services. This sustains confidence in the model for recipients, payers, and employees. It is an ethic that TeachThera Bridge is committed to following as part of its mission.
TeachThera Bridge also has a mission to innovate continually. The ideas of evidence and innovation are not mutually exclusive. Current innovation should build upon past research. The TeachThera Bridge model is committed to program evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative measures. In fact, many of these measures can be naturally embedded in the Reggio Emilia Approach. Adding to the general body of knowledge about education and therapy is also a goal.
Gathering research is a process. More will be added to this page as it is gathered.
AI Overview of types of research
Program evaluation assesses a specific program's merit for decision-making, focusing on worth, while evidence-based research seeks to build generalizable knowledge to advance theory, focusing on truth, though both use scientific methods; evaluation answers "Does this specific program work?" for stakeholders, whereas research answers broader "How do things work?" for the scientific community, often using controlled studies to generalize findings to wider populations.
Program Evaluation
Purpose: To judge the value, effectiveness, and impact of a specific program, intervention, or policy to inform decisions (e.g., continue, modify, expand).
Focus: A particular program, its stakeholders, and its context.
Questions: Practical questions like "Is this curriculum working?" or "Is this intervention meeting its goals?".
Audience: Program managers, funders, administrators, and practitioners.
Evidence-Based Research (General Research)
Purpose: To generate new, generalizable knowledge, test theories, and contribute to a broader body of scientific understanding.
Focus: Broad populations and theoretical principles, aiming for findings applicable beyond one specific context.
Questions: Theoretical questions like "What are the underlying mechanisms of behavior?" or "Does this principle apply universally?".
Audience: Scholars, academics, and the wider scientific community.
Key Differences
Application vs. Theory: Evaluation is applied, focusing on practical improvement; research is often theoretical, aiming for broader understanding.
Context: Evaluation embraces context to be realistic; research often controls for context to isolate variables for generalizability.
Value: Evaluation value is in guiding action; research value is in advancing knowledge, often validated by peer review.
Overlap: Evaluation Research
When evaluation uses rigorous scientific methods (like randomized controlled trials) to test a program's effectiveness, it becomes evaluation research, a form of applied research that bridges both worlds by providing strong evidence for practice.
What does research show about the Reggio Emilia Approach?
What does research show about the Reggio Emilia Approach?
What research is available that validates a child-centered approach in education?
What research is available that validates a child-centered approach in education?
Reggio Emilia is a child-centered or student-centered approach. Some of the research here focuses on the broader topic of student centeredness.
Reggio Emilia approach and literacy:
Reggio Emilia approach and literacy:
By using multiple literacies (100 Languages) and making literacy learning enjoyable and fun, play ensures that young children’s early attempts at literacy are successful. In short, the study illustrated that literacy was reconceptualised in a new and effective way in Reggio-inspired preschools compared to traditional literacy education in other preschools, and that what makes Reggio Emilia-inspired experiences special is the whole approach to literacy instruction (İnan, 2021).
Through adults’ assistance on children’s environmental print knowledge and enrichment of dramatic play with adult modelling, young children’s literate behaviors and the time children spend on play-literacy activities can be increased (İnan, 2021)
Reference
İnan, H. Z. (2021). Understanding the Reggio Emilia-inspired literacy education: A meta-ethnographic study: Reggio Emilia-inspired literacy education. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 13(1), 68-92.
What are the effects of a student-centered approach on academic performance?
What are the effects of a student-centered approach on academic performance?
Though literature on this subject is limited and the results are mixed, depending on how research questions are posed, their is a positive effect of student-centered learning on academic achievement. Results were higher for students in special-education populations (Cuccolo, 2023)
Reference
Cuccolo, K. & DeBruler, K. (2023). Insights into the Effectiveness of Student-Centered Learning in K-12 Education. Michigan Virtual. /research/publications/insights-into-scl/
Why do teachers shift emphasis from child-centered instruction to teacher directed when presented with behavioral challenges and poor academic performance?
Why do teachers shift emphasis from child-centered instruction to teacher directed when presented with behavioral challenges and poor academic performance?
Research is showing that both child-centered and teacher-directed approaches are useful at various stages of learning. The Reggio approach seeks to be flexible, taking into account feedback from observations of student needs. Likewise, the TeachThera Bridge model seeks to avoid the rigidity of overreliance on one way of learning.
References
KnowledgeWorks. (2025, October 15). Traditional classroom management versus student-centered classroom management - KnowledgeWorks. https://knowledgeworks.org/resources/classroom-management-traditional-student-centered/
Sherrington, T. (2019, December 8). Myth: Teacher-led instruction and student-centred learning are opposites. Teacherhead. https://teacherhead.com/2019/12/08/myth-teacher-led-instruction-and-student-centred-learning-are-opposites/
Van Loon, M. H., Bayard, N. S., Steiner, M., & Roebers, C. M. (2020). Connecting teachers’ classroom instructions with children’s metacognition and learning in elementary school. Metacognition and Learning, 16(3), 623–650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-020-09248-2
What is research uncovering about relationships and learning in school?
What is research uncovering about relationships and learning in school?
One of the underlining premices of TeachTheraBridge is that relationships matter. They matter so much that one of the grand purposes of creating this therapeutic bridge is to provide a structure that invites students into positive, supportive relationships with parents, teachers, therapists, and with each other
The concept of the therapeutic relationship is well-grounded in research, so much so that it is ubiquitous. The same can be said of research about parenting. There is also research that demonstrates the importance of relationships in the school setting.
The Search Institute defines "developmental relationships" as close, reciprocal connections between young people and adults or peers that progressively shape the youth's identity, resilience, and thriving mindset. They have a collection of research that investigates developmental relationships.
How will the school intervene with the behavioral challenges kids face? What evidence is available?
How will the school intervene with the behavioral challenges kids face? What evidence is available?
There is considerable research supporting trauma-informed approaches. Research supports Trust-Based Behavioral Intervention (TBRI).
What does research tell us about parent involvement in the classroom?
What does research tell us about parent involvement in the classroom?
Research consistently shows that active parental involvement correlates with higher academic performance, improved behavior, and a more positive attitude towards school among students (Parent Volunteers in Schools | Research Starters | EBSCO Research, n.d.).
Results from analyses of 12,698 schools indicated that school-based parent volunteering is associated with improved school safety (Hamlin, 2020).
Hamlin, Angran (2020) The Relationship between Parent Volunteering in School and School Safety in Disadvantaged Urban Neighborhoods, Journal of School Violence, 19:3, 362-376, DOI: 10.1080/15388220.2019.1700801 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2019.1700801
Parent Volunteers in Schools | Research Starters | EBSCO Research. (n.d.). EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/education/parent-volunteers-schools
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse