Empowering Education with Evidence for ESSA

Featured Resource | Educational Leaders

As school leaders navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern education, the need for resources that offer trustworthy, evidence-based practices is greater than ever. One of the most powerful resources in this sphere is Evidence for ESSA, a comprehensive, free database that aids in delivering on the promise of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Available at https://www.evidenceforessa.org/, Evidence for ESSA provides school leaders with clear and authoritative information about programs that meet the ESSA evidence standards. As such, it is an incredibly useful tool for ensuring our schools are doing what works best for students.

Why is Evidence for ESSA such a crucial resource for school leaders? Primarily because it takes the guesswork out of decision-making. With the mandate from ESSA to use programs and practices that are evidence-based, it's more important than ever for educators to have quick, easy access to reliable information about what truly works in education. And that's exactly what Evidence for ESSA provides.

The resource’s database contains detailed information about educational programs in reading, mathematics, science, social-emotional learning, and more. This makes it a versatile tool that can aid school leaders in a wide variety of decision-making processes.

Notably, Evidence for ESSA doesn't just list programs - it provides an easily understandable rating for each one. This includes an effectiveness rating and a description of the size of the effects, offering leaders a clear, at-a-glance understanding of the impact these programs can have.

Moreover, the resource is designed with usability in mind. School leaders can find programs that are specifically designed for their grade levels, or even those intended for certain subgroups of students, making it an invaluable tool for tailoring education to meet diverse needs.

Most importantly, Evidence for ESSA embodies an important shift in education – a shift towards practices that are not just theoretically sound, but empirically validated. This makes it not just a tool, but a beacon for how we should approach decision-making in education: with clear eyes, a commitment to what works, and the courage to put evidence above all else.

In essence, Evidence for ESSA is not just a resource, but a partner in the mission to provide the best education possible to every student. By making evidence-based practices accessible, understandable, and actionable, it is empowering school leaders to make the best possible decisions for their students. The significance of this cannot be overstated - because in the end, the most important evidence of all is the success of our students.

In the next article, we'll explore Harvard's Best Foot Forward Project, a resource offering valuable insights for video observations in education. Be sure to join me as we continue our journey through these empowering educational resources.