This bill adds a clear meaning for “evidence-based” to federal job-training law. It says a program counts as evidence-based if research shows it improves results, such as through strong experimental studies, solid quasi-experimental studies, or well-designed studies with statistical controls. It can also count if there’s a strong research-backed reason it should work and there’s ongoing checking to see if it does. States would also need to explain how they will prioritize funding for evidence-based workforce programs in their statewide plans.

Key points

• Who is affected: State workforce agencies, job-training providers, and people using workforce services.
• What changes: Sets a clear definition of “evidence-based” and asks states to describe how they will fund evidence-based programs first in their statewide workforce activities.
• Why it matters: Aims to steer money toward programs that are proven, or strongly expected, to help participants get better results.