The Institute of Education Sciences released a paper (Nov. 28) which provides a selective overview of recent research on executive function and explores its implications on education practice and research. This paper, entitled Executive Function: Implications for Education, was sponsored by the National Center for Education Research (NCER) and the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).
Executive function (EF) skills are the attention-regulation skills that make it possible to sustain attention, keep goals and information in mind, refrain from responding immediately, resist distraction, tolerate frustration, consider the consequences of different behaviors, reflect on past experiences, and plan for the future.
Over the past two decades, researchers, educators and parents have become more aware of the importance of EF skills for educational success. EF skills are highlighted in various research programs including the Cognition and Student Learning (CASL) program in NCER and The Cognition and Student Learning in Special Education program in NCSER.
For more information on this paper and other IES Products, see NCER Publications and NCSER publications.