In December 2015, the United States Congress reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act through a law known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Designed to increase flexibility for state and local school systems, ESSA provides schools with new opportunities for innovation and school improvement.
One requirement under ESSA is that school improvement efforts be rooted in "evidence-based activities, strategies, or interventions". While the term evidence-based has been in other areas of the law for many years, ESSA is the first federal law to define and identify levels of evidence for educational purposes.
ESSA breaks intervention categories down into four levels: Strong Evidence, Moderate Evidence, Promising Evidence, and Demonstrates a Rationale. The tools and resources on this page are designed to make it easier for schools to identify and implement evidence-based practices with fidelity.
The Code of Federal Regulations includes additional details from Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that are necessary for inclusion and use in the federal grant programs.
Supporting Materials
General Materials
Supporting Evidence-based Practices with School Improvement Funds
Cohort 6
Cohorts 3-5
Additional Resources for Evidence-based Decision Making
Resources for Finding Evidence
Tools for Evaluating Evidence
Ruth Swanson
Office of Continuous Improvement and Support
Division of School and Program Improvement
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-2116 Ext. 4023