An SEA Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) challenges state education agencies (SEAs) to improve student outcomes by addressing the student-, teacher-, and school-level factors that drive achievement gains. This Guide for Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions for School Improvement is intended to help State Education Agencies (SEAs) carefully consider the evidence supporting intervention options that they will require or recommend in their state ESSA plan and funding applications. SEAs could indicate in their state ESSA plan how they have used or will use the self-study process to identify interventions, in partnership with stakeholders. The purpose of the guide is to help SEAs: (1) evaluate the evidence base for interventions as they identify those to be included in the state plan for ESSA as options for schools in need of comprehensive or targeted support; (2) determine the interventions that have strong evidence, and are relevant and appropriate to meeting the needs of the Local Education Agencies (LEAs); and (3) plan to provide resources for LEAs to help them choose the best evidence-based option(s) for schools in need of comprehensive or targeted support to include in school improvement plans.