Federal and state policies require ABE programs to demonstrate that instruction and services to students are evidence-based. 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education defines evidence-based education as “The integration of professional wisdom with the best available empirical evidence in making decisions about how to deliver instruction.”¹ Importantly, this definition values the insights of both researchers and practitioners in determining how best to provide educational services.

Since 2003, Bella Hanson has coordinated a supplemental services project that aims to ensure evidence-based practice in Minnesota ABE programs.  There are three major areas of concentration in the project: practitioner research, study circles, and research briefs.  The goal is to disseminate research findings to the field in the most usable formats and find ways to integrate research into training.  Information from research can complement managers’ and teachers’ experiences as they make decisions about instruction and programming.

Follow the links on the right to learn more about the research briefs and practioner research.

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Bella Hanson at bellahanson@comcast.net or 651-290-4809.

¹Grover Whitehurst, Director, U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences