Cidi Labs is pleased to announce that DesignPLUS has been validated as meeting the requirements for “Demonstrates a Rationale” (ESSA Level IV) under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
The validation, conducted by Instructure’s research team, recognizes that Cidi Labs DesignPLUS, a Canvas course design toolset, is supported by a well-defined, research-informed logic model demonstrating how the solution is expected to contribute to meaningful educational outcomes.
For colleges, universities, and other educational institutions evaluating technology, the designation provides another level of confidence that DesignPLUS is built on more than features and functionality. Its approach is grounded in research and a defined rationale for how better course design supports better teaching and learning.
“At Cidi Labs, we’ve always believed thoughtful course design can have a meaningful impact on the teaching and learning experience,” said Kenneth Larsen, Chief Instructional Designer and Co-founder at Cidi Labs. “It’s important to us that the tools we build aren’t just useful, but are grounded in sound educational practices. This validation is an important step in building the evidence behind DesignPLUS and the difference it can make for institutions, educators, and learners.”
ESSA is a U.S. federal education law that encourages the use of evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions. Its evidence framework gives education leaders a consistent way to evaluate the evidence supporting educational solutions.
ESSA identifies four levels of evidence:
For Level IV, a solution must have a well-defined logic model that is informed by research or evaluation and explains how the intervention is expected to improve relevant outcomes. There must also be plans to further examine the solution through additional research.
DesignPLUS helps instructional designers and educators create engaging, accessible, and consistent courses directly within Canvas, without requiring advanced HTML or web design expertise.
It lets institutions simplify course creation, establish and scale design standards, improve accessibility, and create engaging learning experiences, while making it easier for educators to build high-quality Canvas content.
As part of the ESSA validation process, Instructure researchers worked with Cidi Labs to develop and review a logic model describing how DesignPLUS capabilities and their use contribute to desired outcomes.
Researchers independently reviewed the report using an ESSA Validation Rubric based on federal and research frameworks, including ESSA guidance, What Works Clearinghouse standards, and Standards for Excellence in Education Research. According to Instructure, reviewers unanimously concluded that the DesignPLUS logic model was well-defined and informed by research.
Cidi Labs also has plans to continue examining DesignPLUS through research designed to meet ESSA Level III or higher requirements.
DesignPLUS isn’t the first Cidi Labs solution to receive ESSA validation. UDOIT, Cidi Labs’ accessibility solution for Canvas, has also achieved ESSA certification, adding to a growing evidence base behind the Cidi Labs tools that institutions use to improve their Canvas environments.
For Cidi Labs, these validations reflect a broader commitment to demonstrating not simply what our products can do, but why those capabilities matter.
Educational institutions face increasing pressure to make thoughtful technology investments and demonstrate that the EdTech solutions they adopt can support meaningful institutional and learner outcomes. Research-based evaluation gives decision-makers another tool for making those choices.
The DesignPLUS ESSA Level IV validation is an important step in that process, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build the evidence behind the impact DesignPLUS can have on course design, accessibility, consistency, and the learning experience.
Explore more ideas, research, and practical strategies for creating better Canvas courses in the Design Matters Digest, our collection of resources focused on thoughtful course design, accessibility, engagement, and the teaching and learning experience.
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