Evidence-Based Practices, Strategies, Programs and Intervention Articles and Resources
Arizona Department of Education does not endorse or require the use of any specific evidence-based clearinghouse; districts may use the clearinghouses or stand-alone research reviews conducted by a third party. We also provide a variety of resources to support the identification of evidence based practices and programs to support your school and district transformation.
Evidence Based Guidance Search Evidence-Based Resources Database
Website: https://ies.ed.gov
What does it provide?
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) reviews the existing research on different programs, products, practices, and policies in education. Our goal is to provide educators with the information they need to make evidence-based decisions.. WWC includes topics such as: literacy, mathematics, science, behavior, children and youth with disabilities, the path to graduation and early childhood.
How does the What Works Clearinghouse evaluate evidence?
WWC uses a systematic review process to evaluate research studies to determine the quality of the research and the strength of the evidence produced by research.
Using the WWC to Find ESSA Tiers of Evidence
Website: https://essa.chrr.ohio-state.edu/getting-started
What does it provide?
A list of research and evidence based strategies that can be sorted by subject, grade band, demographics, evidence level, district typology and resource type within the following categories:
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Community Engagement
- Human Capital Managment
- College and Career Readiness
Website: https://www.blueprintsprograms.org/
What does it provide?
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development provides a registry of evidence-based positive youth development programs designed to promote the health and well-being of children and teens
How does Blueprints evaluate evidence?
Blueprints programs are rated as Promising, Model, or Model Plus. Promising programs meet the minimum standard of effectiveness. Model and Model Plus programs meet a higher standard and provide greater confidence in the program’s capacity to change behavior and developmental outcomes.
Website: https://www.evidenceforessa.org/
What does it provide?
Evidence for ESSA provides information on programs and practices that meet each of the top three ESSA evidence standards in a given subject and grade level. The site includes reading programs and math programs in grades K-12
How does Evidence for ESSA evaluate evidence?
The website uses the four levels of evidence recognized by the Every Student Succeeds Act:
- Strong evidence: At least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental (i.e., randomized) study.
- Moderate evidence: At least one well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental (i.e., matched) study.
- Promising evidence: At least one well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias.
- Demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes.
As a local control state, schools and districts have the liberty to select curriculum and instructional materials they feel best meet the needs of their student population. However, A.R.S. 15-704 requires all schools and charters that serve any K-3 students to adopt an instructional curriculum which meets select criteria:
- Aligned to standards
- Address the essential components of reading
- ESSA evidence-based at one of the top three tiers
Vendors used across the state submitted information which may or may not meet the legislative criteria and listed requirements. As a reminder, School Improvement funds can only be used for programs and interventions that are rated Strong, Moderate, and Promising.
- Programs in green meet all criteria.
- Programs in yellow meet some criteria and may be under current additional review. Please note, there are new programs currently performing an efficacy study to establish an approved evidence level.
- Programs in red do not currently meet legislation and should not be adopted for use with K-3 students in Arizona.
Each year, the ADE and the Move on When Reading (MOWR) team re-reviews all products to ensure materials maintain these standards and to assist LEAs in the decision-making process for all curricular materials. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each schools' leadership and literacy team to ensure curriculum in use continues to meet the highest standards.
Understanding ESSA evidence provisions and MOWR legislation is an important step in the decision-making process. The ADE requires that all programs qualify for one of the top three ESSA tiers of evidence and show a statistically significant positive effect on a relevant outcome. It is crucial to consider the local context, especially the grade levels and demographics for which the studies’ student population were conducted, in determining if a program is the right fit for any LEA or school.
Completing the Literacy Plan Core Reading Program:
Schools determine if curriculum used in K-3 classrooms meets legislative requirements. To assist in this process, however, the MOWR team has reached out to vendors directly to request additional helpful information when making this determination. All information provided in the table is directly from the vendors and is reported as is. Programs by vendors currently completing their studies have not been added to the MOWR portal but may be added at any time once criteria has been confirmed by the vendor.
When completing this year’s literacy plan, LEA approvers should select “*Core program under review or without established ESSA rating” and type current programs in the notes section at the aggregate district/charter level.
