is the nation's leading source for independent,

non-partisan research, evaluation,

and statistics about education.

We offer credible and trustworthy information

that can help teachers, leaders, and the public

make informed decisions that will benefit

the nation's students, from pre-K to postsecondary.

To support an evidence-informed education system,

IES makes it easier to access data and research

and to apply it to education improvement.

First, IES provides user-friendly summaries

of the most rigorous and current research.

We do this through the What Works Clearinghouse,

or WWC.

The WWC conducts thorough and impartial quality

reviews of studies

to help decision makers learn whether there is evidence

that an intervention improves student outcomes.

The WWC offers intervention reports,

which summarize the research on a specific program,

policy, product, or practice.

There are also practice guides,

which include evidence-based recommendations

for classroom instruction and school organization.

These free resources can be found on the WWC website,

whatworks.ed.gov.

The public also has free access to hundreds of thousands

of education studies through ERIC,

IES's easily searchable online library.

The studies, reports, journal articles, and books in ERIC

are used by over 12 million people annually

to facilitate evidence-informed decision making.

Next, IES provides opportunities for educators

to apply research findings to local challenges.

IES administers a network

of 10 Regional Educational Laboratories, or RELs

that collectively serve all 50 states,

U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States.

The RELs match local needs with the most relevant,

credible research on how to improve student outcomes.

RELs offer in-person events and virtual learning opportunities

on topics such as research-based instructional practices

in math and literacy,

and strategies to keep students on track to graduation

or improve school climate.

The RELs also create new materials and events

that build on WWC practice guides.

IES also provides support for state and district personnel

to become full participants in planning

and conducting research.

Through several grant programs from IES's two research centers,

we support ongoing partnerships

between researchers and education practitioners.

Low-cost, short-duration grants

and researcher-practitioner partnerships programs

cover a variety of topics

that are important to educators across the nation.

Third, IES supports evidence use

by providing states and school districts

access to high quality data.

Since 2006,

nearly every state in the U.S. has received an IES grant

to develop and make use of

a Statewide Longitudinal Data System.

These systems allow states and districts

to efficiently identify student needs,

monitor education outcomes,

report timely information to educators and policy makers,

and provide data needed for research.

The data from these systems

are an integral part of many studies,

including those funded through IES research grants

and the RELs.

In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics

has developed a distance learning program

to help practitioners and researchers

access and effectively use its vast array of data sets

on student achievement,

school climate,

and much more.

Lastly, IES is always looking for innovative new ways

to help states and school districts

use their own data to conduct rigorous research.

For instance, a tool, called RCT YES,

makes it more straightforward and cost effective

for education agencies

to learn whether their programs are having a positive impact.

With a basic understanding of statistics and research design,

educators can collect data on an intervention,

enter it into RCT YES,

and learn quickly whether their program

improved student outcomes.

These are just a few ways that IES is

building and sustaining a culture of evidence use

in education.

There are many more,

and we are always adding new products, guides, and tools!

Visit our website at ies.ed.gov

or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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