March 11, 2025
Mrs. Houchin (for herself and Mr. Messmer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to define the term evidence-based.
Section 1. Evidence-based definition
(a) In general
Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(72) Evidence-based
The term evidence-based, when used with respect to an activity, service, strategy, or intervention, or content of materials, means an activity, service, strategy, or intervention, or content of materials that—
(A)
demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving participant outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on—
(i)
strong evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;
(ii)
moderate evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or
(iii)
promising evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias; or
(B)
(i)
demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation that such activity, service, strategy, or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes; and
(ii)
includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such activity, service, strategy, or intervention.
(b) Description of evidence-Based programs
Section 102(b)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112(b)(1)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (C) by inserting the extent to which such activities are evidence-based,
after of such activities,
;
(2)
in subparagraph (D), at the end, by striking and
;
(3)
in subparagraph (E) by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(F)
a description of any strategies the State will use to prioritize the funding of evidence-based programs through the funds available for statewide workforce development activities described in section 128(a).