Attachment E.4: Evidence-Based Whole-School Reform Model.

The following items are required elements of the model. Describe how each element will be met. Responses must be in the sequence of requirements as listed (maximum length 5 pages).

An LEA that proposes to use SIG funds to implement, in partnership with a whole school reform model developer, an evidence-based, whole-school reform model in a school, must demonstrate that (a) the evidence supporting the model includes a sample population or setting similar to that of the school to be served; and (b) it has partnered with a whole school reform model developer that meets the definition of “whole school reform model developer” in the SIG requirements.

An evidence-based, whole-school reform model is defined as:

  • A model that is supported by evidence of effectiveness, which must include at least one study of the model that—
  • Meets What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards with or without reservations;
  • Found a statistically significant favorable impact on a student academic achievement or attainment outcome, with no statistically significant and overriding unfavorable impacts on that outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other studies of the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the What Works Clearinghouse; and
  • A model, that if in meeting What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards with reservations, includes a large sample and a multi-site sample as defined in 34 CFR 77.1, which states “multi-site sample means more than one site, where site can be defined as an LEA, locality, or State.” (Note: multiple studies can cumulatively meet the large and multi- site sample requirements so long as each study meets the other requirements in this section);

A “whole-school reform model” is further defined as a model that:

  • Is designed to improve student academic achievement or attainment;
  • Is implemented for all students in a school; and
  • Addresses, at a minimum and in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, each of the following:
  • School leadership
  • Teaching and learning in at least one full academic content area (including professional learning for educators)
  • Student non-academic support
  • Family and community engagement

A “Whole School Reform Model Developer” is defined as an entity or individual that maintains proprietary rights for the model or, if no entity or individual maintains proprietary rights for the model, an entity or individual that has a demonstrated record of success in implementing a whole school reform model and is selected through a rigorous review process that includes a determination that the entity or individual is likely to produce strong results for the school.

Evidence-Based, Whole-School Reform Models approved by the U.S. Department of Education may be found at:

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