March 2004 — Exclusive Series: SBR
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Scientifically Based Research: Guidelines or Mandates for Product Purchasing?
As one former state official said, "If money is involved, states and districts do not want to jeopardize those funds, especially in this time of limited budgets." While Wolfe's belief that it would be unlikely for the Education Department to fund only those interventions vetted by the WWC may turn out to be true, the tendency of districts to overinterpret guidance into mandates may create a requirement by fiat.
Federal officials like Wolfe and Bailey caution that the What Works Clearinghouse is just starting up, and there's no evidence to draw any conclusions about the impact of its work at this time. Over the next few years, as the review process gears up, it will become clearer if federal programs, states and even local education agencies will use WWC evidence reports more as a resource or as an approved list.
Dr. Geoffrey H. Fletcher is Editor-in-Chief of T.H.E. Journal. He was a former Texas Assistant Commissioner with responsibilities for curriculum, assessment, textbooks, technology and professional development.
This is the third article in our exclusive six-part series, titled "A Closer Look at SBR," which was edited by T.H.E. Guest Editor Therese Mageau.
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