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ETS Launches EvidenceWorks

In a significant move for American education, ETS has introduced EvidenceWorks, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering state leaders to enhance educational outcomes. This program will leverage established educational research to create effective strategies that benefit students, educators, employers, and communities across the nation. By gathering leaders from various sectors, EvidenceWorks focuses on addressing challenges, developing evidence-driven strategies, and conducting real-world pilot projects to ascertain effective solutions.

Supporting State Education Leaders

States are crucial engines of education in the United States, tasked with setting priorities and innovating solutions that impact classrooms, colleges, and labor markets daily. To solidify this mission, EvidenceWorks seeks to act as a collaborative partner, uniting governors, policymakers, educators, employers, and philanthropic leaders around a shared vision. "American education will rise through the decisions made state by state," said Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS, highlighting the program's significance in fostering educational progress.

The initiative's launch comes at a critical time. Despite substantial investments in education, there has been a noted decline in student achievements over the last decade, along with ongoing workforce participation challenges. Employers are increasingly calling for workers equipped with adaptable, future-ready skills. EvidenceWorks aims to bridge the gap by providing state leaders with the necessary tools, resources, and partnerships, enabling them to translate impactful educational research into real-world improvements.

Collaborative Infrastructure for Change

Catherine Truitt, Senior Strategic Advisor to ETS, emphasized the importance of testing and measuring great ideas rather than simply announcing them. EvidenceWorks is designed to foster a collaborative infrastructure that allows states to innovate responsibly, learn from each other, and scale solutions that have demonstrated meaningful impact. This framework will not only include data-driven policies but will also empower education leaders to share best practices while utilizing ETS's expertise in measurement and research.

Through EvidenceWorks, states are given the chance to build upon evidence-based policy frameworks, access implementation resources, receive technical assistance, and participate in cross-state learning networks. The program's focus will be directed towards improving literacy and math outcomes, connecting education to job opportunities, supporting educators, and creating pathways to success for all learners.

A Vision for Evidence-Based Education

As Laura Slover, Managing Director at ETS, aptly stated, "Evidence, not anecdote, should drive decisions in education and our work." This initiative seeks to utilize decades of research to inform actionable strategies, uniting leaders from K–12 education, higher education, workforce domains, and governmental entities in a concerted effort to tackle significant challenges. By testing and scaling effective solutions, it aims to generate real impact in educational systems.

Guided by four core principles—being evidence-led and outcomes-focused; designed for state action; bipartisan and cross-sector; and co-created with the stakeholders affected—EvidenceWorks invites governors, educators, and industry partners to join in this vital collaboration. For further insights into the initiative and the case for evidence-based decisions, interested parties can refer to the launch paper titled "Advancing What Works in U.S. Education Today" available on the ETS website.

About ETS

ETS stands as a global leader in education and talent solutions, committed to preparing lifelong learners for future challenges. The organization’s central mission is to advance measurement science, enabling individuals worldwide to demonstrate their skills and navigate their professional journeys. ETS is dedicated to preparing over 100 million people for the next generation of jobs by 2035, leveraging trusted assessments and innovative initiatives powered by research. Annually, ETS assists more than 50 million individuals in measuring their proficiency and unlocking new opportunities. For more details about ETS and its impact, visit ETS.org.