"Under increasing pressure to demonstrate effectiveness and do more with less, many governments are expanding their use of evidence-based programs-those shown in rigorous evaluations to be effective. Committing to such proven programs can help governments strengthen efficiency and accountability and achieve better outcomes for residents" (p. 1). This article explains how various states have used evidence-based practices (EBPs) in their policymaking.
Sections of this brief cover:
- what evidence-based policymaking is;
- five types of laws that uphold evidence-based programs--require agencies to inventory and categorize funded programs by their evidence of effectiveness;
- provide incentives for the use of evidence- and research-based programs;
- restrict funding of programs shown to be ineffective;
- require the use of evidence- or research-based programs;
- and dedicate funding to evidence- or research-based programs;
- and key considerations.