Results of a school-based evidence-based practice initiative

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. To investigate the effects of a 17-mo initiative designed to increase practitioners' knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice (EBP) in the schools. METHOD. We evaluated participants' EBP knowledge and skills at pretest and posttest using the Adapted Fresno Test (AFT) and collected their perceptions through a survey. RESULTS. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in their EBP knowledge and skills after participating in this initiative as measured by changes in AFT scores. A significant difference was noted in scores between pretest (μ = 43.9, SD = 32.67) and posttest (μ = 74.66, SD = 33.99), t(28) = -5.645, p < .001. CONCLUSION. This initiative was influential in increasing school-based practitioners' EBP knowledge and skills.