Since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), there has been an increased focus on using evidence-based practice to improve education and student learning. This movement encourages educators to use instructional strategies backed by scientifically based research—specifically, randomized controlled trials and other types of rigorous research that address questions of effectiveness. Educators are also encouraged to use student and other types of data to guide decisions. In short, educators are being asked to do “what works.”
