IES Launches New What Works Clearinghouse Website
September 13, 2016
IES Launches New What Works Clearinghouse Website
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) launched a new What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) website today (Sept. 13) that will make it easier for users to find educational programs and interventions that make a difference. The new WWC website includes:
- An enhanced Find What Works (FWW) feature that allows educators and policymakers to find interventions that scientific evidence shows have had a positive impact on student outcomes. The new FWW feature allows users to learn whether research was conducted with students like theirs and to compare interventions to find the right fit for their students;
- Improved website navigation that allows visitors to quickly find what they are looking for, whether it's practice guides that feature evidence-based recommendations for the classroom; intervention reports that summarize the evidence on specific programs or policies; or information about the thousands of studies that the WWC has reviewed; and
- A Review of Individual Studies feature that lets users get in-depth information on thousands of studies that have been reviewed by the WWC and see if the research met our rigorous study standards.
"The What Works Clearinghouse is well-established as an impartial and trusted source of scientific evidence for education decision makers across the country," said Ruth Curran Neild, the delegated director of IES. "The new WWC website and Find What Works feature build on that solid reputation with a new interface that provides much more information about each intervention and study—and does so in a contemporary, easy-to-use way."
To develop the new design and enhanced features, the WWC team conducted an analysis of website statistics and inquiries to the WWC Help Desk. The team also surveyed website users and held virtual and in-person focus groups with school and district leaders, researchers and academics, state administrators, parents, and educators across the country.
About the What Works Clearinghouse
The What Works Clearinghouse was launched by IES in 2002 and published its first reports in 2005. Since then, millions of people have visited the WWC site to review and download resources and reports that can inform decision-making in education.
For example, the WWC has published 20 Educator's Practice Guides that provide evidence-based recommendations for improving teaching and learning in specific areas. In July, the WWC released its newest practice guide, Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade. Two more practice guides are expected to be released in the coming months.
The WWC has also published hundreds of Intervention Reports across a wide array of topic areas and grade levels. These reports review and summarize the research on a specific program, product, or policy to determine its effectiveness in improving student outcomes.
Learn more about the What Works Clearinghouse on its website and get the latest news and information by following WWC on Facebook and Twitter.
The What Works Clearinghouse is an initiative of the Institute of Education Sciences, the independent, non-partisan research, evaluation, and statistics arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more about the work of IES on its website and follow IES on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contact: Dana Tofig, Communications Director, Institute of Education Sciences, 202-245-8235, dana.tofig@ed.gov