ESSA Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement Guides

The SEA and LEA Guides for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement were developed to help State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, and schools conduct self-studies for identifying interventions that are most relevant and appropriate based on need, with the strongest evidence-base possible, for implementation in schools needing improvement. The guides provide tools for facilitating the self-study process. Quick-start guides are available for those who desire an overview of the process along with the tools to begin right away.

The Every Student Succeeds Act

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) challenges state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) to improve student outcomes by addressing the student-, teacher-, and school-level factors that drive achievement gains. These Guides for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement are intended to help SEAs and LEAs carefully consider the evidence supporting intervention options that they will require or recommend in their state ESSA plan and funding applications.

 

ESSA provides the opportunity for states and local education agencies to determine the needs of their students and work to meet them.

 

ESSA offers the flexibility for states and local education agencies to choose the best evidence-based interventions to help their schools improve.

 

ESSA entrusts the responsibility for state and local education agencies to select appropriate, relevant interventions with the strongest evidence base possible to implement in schools needing improvement.

Downloadable Documents

Guides

 guideAn SEA Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement (Full Version, Updated 11/29/16)
 guideAn LEA Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement (Full Version, Updated 11/29/16)

The materials that may be accessed at the links below were developed to train potential facilitators of self-study teams using the SEA or LEA Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement. The goal of the professional learning module is to enable participants to serve as effective facilitators of a self-study in their agency, district, or school, utilizing the guide. Participants will work in small groups and engage in discussion and activities to help them prepare for the role of facilitator of a self-study team.

• Professional Learning Module Powerpoint
• Professional Learning Module Trainers Guide
• ABC Elementary School Fictional Narrative for Simulation
• ABC Elementary School Fictional Data for Simulation

Overview Videos

Sea Video

Lea Video

Resources

An overview of ESSA from the U.S. Department of Education along with FAQs and resources can be accessed here. http://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn

This document from the U.S. Department of Education, Non-Regulatory Guidance: Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments, contains recommendations for choosing and implementing interventions in schools in need of improvement. https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/guidanceuseseinvestment.pdf

The Institute of Education Sciences provides many resources related to rigorous independent education research, evaluation, and statistics. https://ies.ed.gov/

This video, Supporting a Culture of Evidence Use in Education, released by the Institute of Education Sciences overviews the work and resources provided by the institute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeHf3UZV2nw&feature=youtu.be

The Center for School Turnaround provides information regarding a variety of issues related to school turnaround. http://centeronschoolturnaround.org/

School Leadership Interventions Under the Every Student Succeeds Act Volume 1 – a Review of the Evidence Base, Initial Findings published by the Rand Corporation, describes the opportunities for supporting school leadership under ESSA. In addition, the report discusses standards of evidence under ESSA, and examines the research base pertaining to those standards. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1550-3.html

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. This webpage contains resources exclusively related to ESSA. https://ccsso.org/taxonomy/term/151