This legislative proposal amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by introducing a precise definition for the term "evidence-based" when applied to activities, services, strategies, or interventions. Under this definition, an activity is considered evidence-based if it demonstrates a statistically significant positive effect on participant or other relevant outcomes. This statistical significance must be supported by either strong evidence from experimental studies, moderate evidence from quasi-experimental studies, or promising evidence from correlational studies with statistical controls. Alternatively, an activity can be deemed evidence-based if it has a strong rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation, coupled with ongoing efforts to examine its effects. The bill also mandates that states include in their workforce development plans a description of how they will prioritize funding for these newly defined evidence-based programs.
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to define the term evidence-based.
USA119th CongressHR-2058| House
| Updated: 3/11/2025
This legislative proposal amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by introducing a precise definition for the term "evidence-based" when applied to activities, services, strategies, or interventions. Under this definition, an activity is considered evidence-based if it demonstrates a statistically significant positive effect on participant or other relevant outcomes. This statistical significance must be supported by either strong evidence from experimental studies, moderate evidence from quasi-experimental studies, or promising evidence from correlational studies with statistical controls. Alternatively, an activity can be deemed evidence-based if it has a strong rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation, coupled with ongoing efforts to examine its effects. The bill also mandates that states include in their workforce development plans a description of how they will prioritize funding for these newly defined evidence-based programs.