A hypothesized model of state implementation of federal policy was extracted from empirical studies to discover the strategies states can use to gain compliance more cost effectively. Sixteen factors were identified and applied to the implementation of the Scientific Based Research provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Data collected from state program directors countrywide produced a strong predictive model using 10 of the hypothesized factors and the degree of policy compliance. It appears that the key to increasing compliance of state implementation plans was to consider the effects of several significant predictors, some of which had unexpected influence.