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This bill would add a clear definition of “evidence-based” to the federal law that guides workforce training and employment programs. In simple terms, it says that a program, service, or material should count as evidence-based only if research shows it helps people in a meaningful way. The bill also asks states to explain how much of their workforce activities are evidence-based and how they will give priority to programs that are backed by research when using certain state workforce funds.
The bill defines “evidence-based” as something that has shown real, measurable improvement in outcomes using accepted types of research.
It allows a program to qualify if it has strong, moderate, or promising research support, depending on the type and quality of the study.
It also allows a program to qualify if there is a solid reason to expect it will help, as long as there are ongoing efforts to study its results.
States would need to describe how they use evidence-based activities and how they plan to favor these kinds of programs when spending certain workforce development funds.
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Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 922 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 922
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to define the
term evidence-based.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 10, 2025
Mr. Banks introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to define the
term evidence-based.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EVIDENCE-BASED DEFINITION.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(72) Evidence-based.--The term `evidence-based', when
used with respect to an activity, service, strategy, or
intervention, or content of materials, means an activity,
service, strategy, or intervention, or content of materials
that--
``(A) demonstrates a statistically significant
effect on improving participant outcomes or other
relevant outcomes based on--
``(i) strong evidence from at least 1 well-
designed and well-implemented experimental
study;
``(ii) moderate evidence from at least 1
well-designed and well-implemented quasi-
experimental study; or
``(iii) promising evidence from at least 1
well-designed and well-implemented
correlational study with statistical controls
for selection bias; or
``(B)(i) demonstrates a rationale based on high-
quality research findings or positive evaluation that
such activity, service, strategy, intervention, or
content is likely to improve student outcomes or other
relevant outcomes; and
``(ii) includes ongoing efforts to examine the
effects of such activity, service, strategy,
intervention, or content.''.
(b) Description of Evidence-Based Programs.--Section 102(b)(1) of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3112(b)(1)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``the extent to which
such activities are evidence-based,'' after ``of such
activities,'';
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) a description of any strategies the State
will use to prioritize the funding of evidence-based
programs through the funds reserved as described in
section 128(a) and available for statewide workforce
development activities.''.
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