12. Evaluation Use

Pennsylvania

In 2020, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board unanimously voted to adopt a four-tiered evidence framework for the state’s workforce system. The definitions for evidence of effectiveness include: strong evidence, moderate evidence, preliminary evidence, and pre-preliminary evidence.

In 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) launched the PDE Evidence Resource Center to help Pennsylvania schools thoughtfully apply high-quality, relevant research to their local settings. By listing evidence-based interventions in the areas of instruction and curriculum, student support and professional development, and student wellness, this tool helps school districts identify and select strategies to address every aspect of school improvement. This tool is also being used for the PDE’s research agenda that allows the department to identify and measure its progress in meeting its research and learning priorities.

Issue Areas: Economic Mobility, Education, Workforce