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Evidence-Based Practices

To ensure equitable outcomes, educational practices must be evidence based – those known and shown to be effective.

Improving learner outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices

Teams use evidence-based practices aligned with the school’s or district’s population and values. When implemented with fidelity (used as intended), schools and districts using evidence-based practices are more likely to achieve positive outcomes found in research.

Using evidence-based programs, practices, and procedures across the system

Evidence-based practices apply across all key system features.

For example, schools and districts:

  • collaboratively allocating resources, develop policies, and provide coaching and training to staff on how to use the practices
  • develop learners’ academic, behavioral, emotional, and social knowledge, skills, and habits through agreed upon instructional frameworks
  • incorporate and use evidence-based, culturally-responsive classroom management, curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices
  • strategically use data and family and community engagement to select evidence-based programs, practices, and procedures that ensure equitable access, opportunities, and outcomes for every learner

Routinely, schools and districts use accountability measures, structures, and assessment tools to ensure evidence-based practices are implemented with fidelity.

They use these tools to:

  • Adjust support as needed, and
  • evaluate the extent to which they are improving outcomes for learners.

How do you know your system has evidence-based practices in place?

Are your evidence-based practices:

  • applied across all key system features
  • culturally responsive
  • implemented as designed and intended
  • selected collaboratively through use of local data
  • supported through policy, resource allocation, training and coaching, and accountability measures and structures

Resources for this Key System Feature