What Makes a Good Case Study?

Tip:
Teachers can develop or use case studies for their professional development program. However, a case study is not just collecting information about a program or writing about how a lesson was implemented and affected student achievement. A good case study:

  • Is usually designed around a realistic situation and problem.
  • Has research that backs up the findings.
  • Covers educational pedagogy and theory.
  • Is personalized for the school, students, and the curriculum.
  • Provides enough time to follow the process through several stages including time enough to review literature and background information.

An example of a case study is Zero Tolerance in Layne County: http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/ZT/ - A case study that administrators can experience if they plan on issuing Zero Tolerance policies, and with related political and educational issues.

Submitted by:Barbara Bray

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