Office of Planning and Research

Evidence and research clearinghouses

This section includes a list of some of the clearinghouses currently available for educators' use in researching effective, evidence-based practices. These clearing houses provide summaries of individual studies.

In reviewing studies from these sources, regardless of how any specific clearinghouse rates evidence (and they do vary), keep handy a copy of the questions from How do I select and use evidence-based interventions?

K–12 Education

  1. Best Evidence Encyclopedia
    Systematic reviews of the research on approaches to reading, mathematics, science, comprehensive school reform, and early childhood interventions.

  2. Cross State High School Collaborative
    Summaries and synthesis of the evidence base for high school improvement and significant individual studies on key redesign and improvement practices.

  3. Evidence for ESSA
    Research ratings of effectiveness of K–12 reading and mathematics, social emotional, attendance, science, and writing that meet the ESSA evidence tiers.

  4. Ohio's Evidence-based Clearinghouse
    Compilation of evidence-based strategies from multiple clearinghouses, including Evidence for ESSA, and the What Works Clearinghouse.

  5. Results First Clearinghouse Database
    Evidence ratings compiled from nine national data bases on education, child welfare, juvenile and criminal justice, health, and other social programs.

  6. The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
    Summaries of high-quality research on education interventions, reviews of individual studies, and evidence-based practices guides from pre-K through postsecondary.

  7. EdResearch for Action
    Summaries of the evidence base on key topics including literacy, mathematics, mental health and well-being, and others along with Action Design documents to support practitioners adapt and implement individual programs and practices.

Special Education

  1. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
    Evidence Maps, a searchable online tool designed to assist audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and related clinicians with making evidence-based decisions.

  2. National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
    Evidence-based and promising practices and predictors that promote positive post-school outcomes for all students with disabilities.

Mental Health

  1. National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
    A searchable database of interventions designed to promote mental health or to prevent or treat substance abuse and mental disorders.

Social Programs, including Violence, Crime, Bullying, Delinquency, and Substance Abuse

  1. Blueprints for Violence Prevention
    Identifies programs that are effective in reducing adolescent violent crime, bullying, delinquency, and substance abuse.

  2. Social Programs That Work
    Identifies social programs that are backed by rigorous evidence of effectiveness.


DESE will continue to update and expand this page to provide districts and schools with greater access to information about evidence-based practices from here in Massachusetts and nationwide. Please contact Kendra Winner with any suggestions or comments at (781) 338-3129 or Kendra.L.Winner@mass.gov .

Last Updated: September 11, 2023