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5 Apr 2019
ESSA

ESSA Action Guide │ Selecting Evidence-Based Practices for Low-Performing Schools

Alicia Garcia and Elisabeth Davis

Evidence-based practices are commonly understood as those practices informed by research that lead to improved educational outcomes. This concept is incorporated throughout the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires education leaders to use such practices in improvement plans for low-performing schools. Practices should be selected for rigor of evidence as well as fit for school budget and culture.

Actions for Education Leaders to Select Evidence-Based Practices

This action guide offers education leaders three action steps to ensure the evidence-based practices they select meet ESSA requirements and fit their specific needs.

Action 1: Review the Data and Practices to Prioritize Improvement Areas

See a complete list of the resources contained throughout this guide >>

To choose evidence-based practices that account for their specific—and local—circumstances, leaders first should conduct a variety of needs-assessment activities, such as:

  • Completing a data review and interpretation to identify which student outcomes they want to improve
  • Conducting a root-cause analysis to identify strategies for improvement, such as adjustments to teacher instruction or supports for improving attendance
  • Creating an inventory of current practices and interventions to understand which ones address their prioritized outcomes and which ones they can scale back or end

Action 2: Explore Key Resources to Flag EBPs That Meet Evidence Requirements

Once leaders understand the gap between current practices and prioritized outcomes, they can next explore key resources and identify potential strategies that meet the evidence requirements. Examining a variety of resources, including online clearinghouses like the What Works Clearinghouse, will help identify all possible improvement strategies and evidence tiers for potential evidence-based practices.

If clearinghouses do not contain studies that address an approach leaders are considering, leaders can conduct their own review of research using sources such as the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC).

Action 3: Apply Other Criteria to Identify EBPs That Meet Local Priorities

After these first two actions are completed, leaders can be confident that their chosen practice is backed by evidence showing a positive impact on their student outcomes goals. However, to ensure that the practice has a higher chance of producing positive results, leaders should consider regional or local priorities.

Some questions leaders might ask include:

  • Are there enough staff to enact a particular practice?
  • Is there enough funding to see it through to the end?
  • Does the practice fit community values?
  • Can results be measured formatively and summatively?
PDF icon Action Guide: Selecting Evidence-Based Practices for Low-Performing Schools (PDF)

Related Work

5 Apr 2019
ESSA

ESSA Key Resources: Selecting the Right Evidence-Based Practices

Evidence-based practices play an important role in ESSA. AIR experts have compiled a list of key resources to help education leaders choose the right evidence-based practice or program for your district or school and bring positive outcomes for their students.
Topic: 
Education, Equity in Education, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Page

ESSA Co-Pilot: Implementing Your State's Plan

Implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) presents policymakers and stakeholders with opportunities to improve outcomes for schools and students as well as teachers and leaders. AIR’s ESSA Co-Pilot will help you navigate the most current information, key topics, and research-based resources that you can use in planning and implementing ESSA at the state and local level.
Topic: 
Education, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Further Reading

  • ESSA Key Resources: Selecting the Right Evidence-Based Practices
  • Webinar Series: Evidence-Based Practices Under ESSA
  • FAQs: Developing Clearinghouses to Identify and Implement Evidence-Based Educational Practices
  • ESSA Action Guides
  • Crosswalk: Aligning Evidence-Based Clearinghouses with the ESSA Tiers of Evidence
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Alicia Garcia

Alicia Garcia

Principal Researcher
Image of Elisabeth Davis

Elisabeth Davis

Senior Researcher

Topic

Education
Equity in Education
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

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