We conduct research to understand and improve teaching and learning in Singapore's classrooms.
Initiated in 2004, CORE is the world's longest-running study of classroom practice, investigating the interaction between teacher, student, and content across hundreds of schools and thousands of lessons.
Four iterations, one sustained story
CORE has progressed through four iterations, evolving from initial baseline studies of classroom practice to its current focus on learner perspectives and teaching improvement. Scroll through to see how the programme's focus shifted at each stage.
Three questions guide everything we do
What are teachers doing?
Documenting the instructional methods and assessment approaches used across classrooms.
Why are they doing it?
Understanding the reasoning and pedagogical choices behind those instructional approaches.
How are students learning?
Studying the learning process itself: engagement, understanding, and what students take away.
Findings for three audiences
CORE generates research findings for the Ministry of Education, for teachers and schools, and for the broader research community, so that evidence from the classroom can inform improvements to pedagogical practice at every level.
Handled with care
All CORE research follows formal ethics approval (NTU IRB-2025-210). Data is securely stored and de-identified to protect the privacy of every participating school, teacher, and student.
Questions about ethics, privacy, or confidentiality? Email core@nie.edu.sg and we'll point you to the right person.
A partnership built on research, policy, and practice
CORE operates within the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice (CRPP), under the Office for Research (OfR) at the National Institute of Education (NIE), part of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), through a research, policy and practice partnership between NIE and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
The Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice (CRPP), NIE's home for CORE.