Evidence-based Practices

​​​​​​The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires federally funded school improvement efforts to be based on evidence-based practices (EBPs). An EBP is an activity, strategy or intervention that has demonstrated positive effects on student outcomes through research or has a strong rationale supported by ongoing evaluation.

ESSA defines four levels of evidence that may support an EBP:

• Level 1 – Strong Evidence
• Level 2 – Moderate Evidence
• Level 3 – Promising Evidence
• Level 4 – Demonstrates a Rationale

Effective implementation involves more than selecting a practice with research support. Schools and districts should identify local needs, select practices that align with those needs, implement them with fidelity and monitor their impact as part of the continuous improvement process.

The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), codified in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)​, provide additional requirements and guidance for implementing evidence-based practices in federal education grant programs.

Use the resources below to better understand ESSA evidence requirements, identify EBPs and locate research to support school improvement efforts.

Getting Started

If you're new to evidence-based practices, begin with these resources:

• ESSA Evidence Levels
• The Education Agency as Research Intermediary (Courtney, 2020)​​
• What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Glossary
• Video: Using the WWC to Find What Works
• ​Non-Regulatory Guidance: Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments

​Finding Evidence

Explore a collection of clearinghouses, databases, registries, and evidence repositories that can help districts and schools identify evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions to support student success.​

• Elevating Evidence Clearinghouses, Databases and Evidence Resources​
• Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL)

Supporting Evidence-based Practices with School Improvement Funds

Explore federal guidelines and specific compliance standards for districts utilizing SIF to implement evidence-based activities, strategies and interventions.​

• U.S. Department of Education School Improvement and Related Provisions

Cohort 6

SIF Cohort 6 consists of a specific group of Kentucky districts awarded Title I, Part A Section 1003(a) SIF. These federal grants support targeted school improvement efforts. Participating schools are required to align their activities with federal evidence-based standards and satisfy documentation requirements.​

• What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Compliance Requirements​​