Guest contributor, Julia Bibko
In late 2023, the US Department of Education issued updated guidance to help educators, schools, universities, non-profits, and other related organizations understand the research that informs the label “evidence-based” and select classroom materials that meet this criteria. As defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), an “evidence-based” activity, strategy, or intervention has had a statistically significant positive impact on student performance or other outcomes in at least one efficacy study. Products are assigned different evidence tiers based on the study design.
Educators and other stakeholders planning educational programs for students of all ages must understand how to find and implement evidence-based curricula. To help you get started, here are the top five takeaways from LXD Research that incorporate the guidance:
1. Use WWC to identify evidence-based strategies related to your student’s needs
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) can help you identify evidence-based instructional strategies that will work for the population you serve. The WWC evaluates educational research using rigorous criteria and creates Practice Guides, often addressing specific topics (i.e., math interventions) for different grade bands (Writing with Adolescents) so you know what to look for in particular products. Intervention Reports synthesize the best available research on a specific strategy and provide effectiveness ratings and evidence tiers.
2. Collect foundational research papers and efficacy studies from products that cover the topics you need and use the strategies recommended.
New products on the market can be found on the EdSurge Product Index, while more traditional curricula can be reviewed on EdReports. You can also consult Digital Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing student access to learning, and check the list of products that have earned their product certifications, such as the Research-Based Design certification. Evidence for ESSA is a useful clearinghouse that allows for product searches filtered by evidence rating, grade, demographic group, and more. Be sure to check out our in-depth blog post on research review organizations.
3. Present your findings to administrators and decision-makers.
Once you’ve reviewed the available research and selected a specific evidence-based instructional strategy, it’s time to gain support from your colleagues, admin, and other stakeholders. Be sure to communicate how your identified strategy aligns with the unique needs of your school setting and population. Considering staff capacity and funding options during these discussions is also important.
4. Develop a clear implementation plan.
Work with administrators and other educators to create a logic model, set SMART goals, acquire necessary resources, establish a timeline, and decide on specific roles for all staff members involved in implementation. If capacity or funding is a concern, consider partnering with a local organization that can provide additional support and resources.
5. Performance monitoring and evaluation serve different purposes.
The guidance recommends completing progress monitoring and a final evaluation to inform decisions about the chosen intervention. Performance monitoring can help determine progress toward a desired student outcome or identify areas for improvement during implementation. On the other hand, evaluations are needed to evaluate the overall success of the intervention. This data is important for determining whether the chosen product meets the district’s long-term goals and, in turn, is worth continued investment.
Conclusion
Remember that communication is important at all stages, even after identifying the best product for your population and setting. Keep the selection process transparent, ensure stakeholders know the rationale behind the product that is chosen, and be open about how the implementation is going as well as the next steps.
We hope these takeaways inspire you to explore the What Works Clearinghouse and advocate for using evidence-based strategies in your school community. The full USDOE guidance document can be found here.