Fidelity, Rigor, and Relevance: How SEAs are Approaching the ESSA Evidence Requirements

2021 ◽  
pp. 089590482110290
Author(s):  
Lauren Yoshizawa

The Every Student Succeeds Act’s evidence requirements mandate the use of research in the selection of school improvement interventions, with the aim of ensuring that schools and districts invest their efforts and funding more wisely. This study of eight states presents three different approaches to the evidence requirements: using lists of pre-sanctioned evidence-based interventions, training schools and districts to evaluate the research supporting potential interventions, and building local evidence of effectiveness. Through interviews with state administrators, I show how each approach relied on different understandings and prioritizations of research rigor and local relevance.

Author(s):  
John Hunsley ◽  
Eric J. Mash

Evidence-based assessment relies on research and theory to inform the selection of constructs to be assessed for a specific assessment purpose, the methods and measures to be used in the assessment, and the manner in which the assessment process unfolds. An evidence-based approach to clinical assessment necessitates the recognition that, even when evidence-based instruments are used, the assessment process is a decision-making task in which hypotheses must be iteratively formulated and tested. In this chapter, we review (a) the progress that has been made in developing an evidence-based approach to clinical assessment in the past decade and (b) the many challenges that lie ahead if clinical assessment is to be truly evidence-based.


2014 ◽  

Looking at two smaller-scale systemic school improvement projects implemented in selected district circuits in the North West and Eastern Cape by partnerships between government, JET Education Services, and private sector organisations, this book captures and reflects on the experiences of the practitioners involved. The Systemic School Improvement Model developed by JET to address an identified range of interconnected challenges at district, school, classroom and household level, is made up of seven components. In reflecting on what worked and what did not in the implementation of these different components, the different chapters set out some of the practical lessons learnt, which could be used to improve the design and implementation of similar education improvement projects. Many of the lessons in this field that remain under-recorded to date relate to the step-by-step processes followed, the relationship dynamics encountered at different levels of the education system, and the local realities confronting schools and districts in South Africa's rural areas. Drawing on field data that is often not available to researchers, the book endeavours to address this gap and record these lessons. It is not intended to provide an academic review of the systemic school improvement projects. It is presented rather to offer other development practitioners working to improve the quality of education in South African schools, an understanding of some of the real practical and logistical challenges that arise and how these may be resolved to take further school improvement projects forward at a wider district, provincial and national scale.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Teixeira Moreira Vasconcelos ◽  
Marta Maria Coelho Damasceno ◽  
Francisca Elisângela Teixeira Lima ◽  
Ana Karina Bezerra Pinheiro

In a national program to combat cervical uterine cancer (CUC) four basic elements should exist: primary prevention, early detection, diagnosis/treatment and palliative care. Of these, early detection is the most effective modality. One of the purposes of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is to encourage the use of research results with the assistance provided, reinforcing the importance of research for clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the evidence available in the literature regarding effective nursing interventions for the early detection of CUC. The selection of articles was performed in the databases: Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Lilacs and Cochrane. The sample of this review consisted of seven articles, with evidence levels 1, 2 or 3. The behavioral, cognitive and social interventions, showed positive effects in the early detection of CUC, especially the interactive cognitive interventions. It is suggested, when appropriate, to use a combination of interventions in order to obtain a more effective result.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Robert A. Wright

Objective – The aim of this article is to present evidence based methods for the selection of chemistry monographs, particularly for librarians lacking a background in chemistry. These methods will be described in detail, their practical application illustrated, and their efficacy tested by analyzing circulation data. Methods – Two hundred and ninety-five chemistry monographs were selected between 2005 and 2007 using rigorously-applied evidence based methods involving the Library's integrated library system (ILS), Google, and SciFinder Scholar. The average circulation rate of this group of monographs was compared to the average circulation rate of 254 chemistry monographs selected between 2002 and 2004 when the methods were not used or were in an incomplete state of development. Results – Circulations/month were on average 9% greater in the cohort of monographs selected with the rigorously-applied evidence based methods. Further statistical analysis, however, finds that this result can not be attributed to the different application of these methods. Conclusion – The methods discussed in this article appear to provide an evidence base for the selection of chemistry monographs, but their application does not change circulation rates in a statistically significant way. Further research is needed to determine if this lack of statistical significance is real or a product of the organic development and application of these methods over time, making definitive comparisons difficult.


Author(s):  
Amy Larkin ◽  
Colleen Healy

Introduction: Mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) are 2-4 times higher among people with diabetes than in those without. Glucose control reduces the risk of any CVD event by 42% and the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from CVD by 57%. We assessed the hypothesis that continuing medical education (CME) improves knowledge and performance of cardiologists in managing glycemic control and other CV risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Cardiologists who treat patients with coronary artery disease participated in at least 1 of 2 online CME activities within a curriculum on CV risks and outcomes in patients with T2D. Participant responses to a case-based survey after activity completion were compared with responses from demographically similar control groups of nonparticipants. Educational effect size was calculated using Cohen’s d formula, with a value of <0.4 representing a small effect, 0.4-0.8 a medium effect, and >0.8 a large effect. Results: Participating cardiologists (n = 151) were more likely to make evidence-based practice choices than were nonparticipating cardiologists. Activity 1: Improving CV Outcomes in Patients with T2D Multi-media format Increased Likelihood to Make Evidence-Based Practice Choices Post-Education: 33.5% Effect Size: 0.51 (N = 78) Activity 1: Assessing CV Risk in Patients with T2D Multi-media format Increased Likelihood to Make Evidence-Based Practice Choices Post-Education: 50.3% Effect Size: 0.87 (N = 73) Domain 1: Managing Glycemic Control and Other CV Risk Factors in Patients with CVD and T2D. Participating cardiologists significantly improved their consideration of comorbid conditions when deciding on a glucose management strategy (73% pre vs. 85% post) and selection of treatment for early intervention (85% pre vs. 96% post). Domain 2: Identification of Outcomes Data on Glucose-Lowering Agents in Patients with T2D and CVD. Participating cardiologists significantly improved in the recognition of antihyperglycemic agents shown in clinical trials to be safe for high risk CV patients (36% pre vs. 79% post) and in identification of the effect of saxagliptin on CV events in high risk CV patients with T2D (SAVOR TIMI 53 trial) (55% pre vs. 86% post). Domain 3: Application of Outcomes Data on Glucose-Lowering Agents in Patients with T2D and CVD. Participating cardiologists significantly improved in their selection of a DPP-4 inhibitor as the most appropriate antihyperglycemic agent for patients with T2D and CV risk factors or previous CV events (59% pre vs. 81% post and 53% pre vs. 73% post, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the success of a curriculum-style educational intervention using multimedia technology on improving knowledge and performance of cardiologists which can lead to enhanced management of CV risks and, thus, improved outcomes in patients with T2D and CVD.


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