To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to define the term evidence-based.
This bill would add a formal definition of “evidence-based” to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It sets out criteria for what counts as evidence-based, including three levels of evidence (strong, moderate, promising) based on various study designs, and it also allows a rationale-based path backed by high-quality research with ongoing evaluation. The definition would apply to activities, services, strategies, or even the content of materials. In addition, the bill would require states to describe how they will prioritize funding for evidence-based programs using funds for statewide workforce development activities, increasing the emphasis on programs with demonstrated or strongly supported potential to improve outcomes. Overall, the bill aims to elevate the use of rigorous evidence and ongoing assessment in federally funded workforce initiatives.
Key Points
- 1Adds a new definition of “evidence-based” to Section 3 of WIOA, detailing three evidence levels: strong, moderate, and promising, each tied to the study design and demonstration of outcomes.
- 2Evidence must show a statistically significant improvement in participant outcomes or other relevant outcomes, based on: (i) at least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental study; (ii) at least one well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or (iii) at least one well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with controls for selection bias.
- 3An alternative path allows a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluations that such activity is likely to improve outcomes, provided there are ongoing efforts to examine effects.
- 4The definition also covers the content of materials (not just the programs or services themselves).
- 5Section 102(b)(1) would be amended to require a new subparagraph describing how states will prioritize funding of evidence-based programs through statewide workforce development funds, and to require reporting on the extent to which activities are evidence-based.