The perspective of school leaders on the implementation of evidence-based practices: A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND

School leaders play an integral role in the use of implementation strategies, which in turn support special education teachers in the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). In this convergent mixed methods study, we explored school leaders' perceptions of the facilitators and barriers to EBP implementation, particularly for students receiving special education, as well as the importance and feasibility of 15 implementation strategies.

METHOD

School leaders (  =  22, principals, assistant principals, school psychologists, etc.) participated in a semistructured interview that included three parts-qualitative questions, quantitative ratings of strategies' importance and feasibility, and discussion of the top three implementation strategies. Data strands were analyzed independently and then integrated to generate meta-inferences.

RESULTS

The qualitative data identified facilitators such as access to resources about the intervention (e.g., professional development) and collaboration and teamwork, while barriers centered on lack of school supports, culture/climate, and organizational factors (e.g., lack of communication). The quantitative data indicated that the implementation strategy was rated as important and feasible. was rated as important but less feasible, while and were rated as feasible, but less important. was rated as less important and feasible. There was convergence and divergence in mixed methods findings.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the critical need to increase school leaders' knowledge and skills related to implementation science to better leverage implementation strategies that address the confluence of relevant implementation determinants.