How do we choose an evidence based practice for our school or district?

While an intervention may have an evidence base that shows it to be effective, that doesn’t automatically mean that the intervention will be a good fit for your school or district. Generally, schools and districts need to consider both local characteristics and program characteristics in their selection of evidence-based interventions. As outlined in the Hexagon Tool, the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) suggests that schools/districts should consider these 6 dimensions when considering which practice to select:

School/District (Local) Characteristics

Need: What is the specific population/subpopulation the practice is intended for? What is/are the data-identified needs of this population/subpopulation?
Capacity: What human and financial resources and skills are needed to implement this practice? What administrative and structural adjustments need to be adjusted to implement and monitor this practice?

Fit: How does this practice align with our school/family/community values and other priorities and strategic initiatives?

Program/Practice Characteristics

Evidence: What is the strength of the evidence-base (e.g. the ESSA level) for this practice? What outcomes have been measured? for what population(s)? for how long?
Usability: How clearly is the practice and its core features defined? (Will staff know what to do, how to prepare, how to assess fidelity and student progress?) Is the practice adaptable to our context?
Supports: Are there accessible training and resources to support initial implementation? Is there expert assistance or other resources available for ongoing consultation/coaching and onboarding through turnover?