ESSA — the Every Student Succeeds Act — requires that schools using federal Title funds invest in evidence-based interventions. ESSA defines four tiers of evidence. Tier III ("Promising Evidence") means the product has at least one well-designed study demonstrating a statistically significant positive effect on student outcomes, even if the research does not yet meet the more rigorous standards of Tier I or II. For district administrators justifying EdTech purchases to school boards, ESSA tier ratings provide a defensible evidence base. The 0 products on this page carry an ESSA Tier III rating.
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ESSA defines four evidence tiers. Tier I (Strong) requires at least one well-designed randomised controlled trial. Tier II (Moderate) requires a quasi-experimental study. Tier III (Promising) requires a correlational study with controls. Tier IV (Demonstrates a Rationale) requires a logic model supported by research.
Schools using federal Title I, II, III, or IV funds are required to use "evidence-based" interventions — meaning ESSA Tier I, II, or III. Tier IV is allowed for new or innovative approaches. Schools spending only state or local funds are not bound by ESSA evidence requirements but may still prefer evidence-rated tools.
Vendors with ESSA ratings should be able to provide the underlying research studies. The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) at the US Department of Education is an independent source for reviewing evidence ratings.
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