What is a key feature of consensus documents like the National Reading Panel report?

A key feature of consensus documents such as the National Reading Panel report is that they provide clear guidelines based on evidence. These documents are developed from a thorough review of research and evidence, synthesizing findings that help to build consensus in the field of reading instruction and related practices.

The purpose of such reports is to inform educators and policymakers by highlighting effective strategies backed by research, fostering a common understanding and approach to literacy within the educational community. This evidence-based approach ensures that recommendations are not only practical but also grounded in rigorous analysis of existing studies.

In contrast, other options suggest that these documents lack systematic methods, are widely accepted without proper documentation, or do not include a meta-analytic approach, which is inaccurate. Consensus documents are designed to be systematically grounded and well-documented to support the credibility and utility of their guidelines.