The Role of Evidence-Based Practices in Successful School Improvement Efforts
Educational leaders are often asked to do more with less and the pressure to improve student outcomes has never been greater. District improvement is no longer just about compliance, it’s about showing meaningful, measurable progress for students. At the heart of a sustainable improvement plan is a simple but powerful concept: using evidence-based practices that are informed by local context and driven by data.
What Are Evidence-Based Practices in Education?
Evidence-based practices are defined by the United States Department of Education as follows:
Evidence-based practices (EBPs) — which include activities, strategies, and interventions — are “derived from or informed by objective evidence—most commonly, educational research or metrics of school, teacher, and student performance.” Using, generating, and sharing evidence gives stakeholders an important tool to accelerate student learning. By using rigorous and relevant evidence and assessing the local capacity to implement the intervention (e.g., funding, staff, staff skills, stakeholder support), states and districts are more likely to implement successful school improvement interventions. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), gives states and districts flexibility in choosing EBPs. This allows states and districts to prioritize the practices most likely to yield positive outcomes while also supporting the use of promising evidence that may be the best fit for local needs.
In short, evidence-based practices are instructional strategies, interventions, or programs, often chosen by the state or district, that are most likely to yield positive outcomes. ECRA’s School Improvement solution, through the use of predictive analytics, affords district leaders the opportunity to build evidence-based practices into district strategy and planning efforts. Decisions are continuously made from local data, meaning it’s derived from your students.
However, simply choosing a research-backed strategy isn’t enough. For evidence-based practices to be effective, they must be implemented with fidelity, aligned to student needs, and continuously monitored for impact.
Why Evidence Matters in School Improvement Efforts
District leaders understand the importance of using data to guide decisions, but not all data is created equal. Many school improvement plans (SIP) are built on historical state assessments, which offer only a narrow, rear-facing view of student learning. ECRA’s School Improvement solution goes beyond compliance by using predictive analytics to forecast student performance and measure progress toward future goals.
By integrating both local and state data, district leaders can select strategies that are not only research-based but also tailored to the unique needs of their schools and students.
The Advantage of Predictive Analytics in Selecting Practices
ECRA is the only solution in the market that incorporates predictive analytics into school improvement planning. This allows districts to:
- Establish realistic, personalized growth targets
- Forecast student outcomes based on local data trends
- Compare expected performance to actual performance in real time
- Make mid-course adjustments grounded in evidence (or the needs of the students)
These capabilities empower school leaders to not only choose evidence-based practices but to evaluate their effectiveness in context.
ECRA’s School Improvement online application is a powerful tool that puts predictive analytics directly into the hands of district leaders.
Aligning Strategy with Impact
One of the challenges districts face is connecting the dots between the strategies they implement and the outcomes they achieve. Utilizing ECRA’s Academic Return on Investment (AROI) tool, districts can monitor the effectiveness of programming and interventions designed to accelerate student learning. In other words, you will now know whether programs are working, who they are working for, and the profile of students that are best supported by each program. This feature is native to the School Improvement solution, to support initiatives that are truly moving the needle.
By tying evidence-based strategies to measurable outcomes, school leaders can create a culture of continuous improvement. A culture guided by data, responsive to students, and focused on results.
Final Thoughts
School improvement is complex, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By focusing on evidence-based practices and leveraging predictive analytics, districts can move from a compliance-based mindset to a strategic one.
To learn how your district can take a data-informed approach to improvement planning, explore ECRA’s School Improvement solution or connect with our team here.
