Committee hears bill to tighten 'evidence‑based' definition for classroom methods

Rep. Mike Belcher, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the House Education Policy Committee HB 129 would tighten the state’s application of the federal ‘‘evidence‑based’’ standard so that teaching methods adopted by the state or local school boards rest on objective, scientific studies rather than subjective instruments such as administrator surveys.

Belcher said the change would apply to pedagogy — the way material is taught — not to curriculum content. “This bill simply firms up that definition of evidence to require that the evidence we’re using be good, objective, science‑based evidence,” he said at the start of the hearing. He told members the measure is intended to reduce “fad chasing” in schools and could produce long‑term cost savings by limiting retraining and frequent adoption of new instructional programs.

Committee members questioned where the bill would draw lines in practice. Rep. Woodcock asked whether the…