Improving school leadership may improve student outcomes. Evaluation is critical for effective use of resources, but poses challenges to states and districts. Evaluators and policymakers should allow time for improvements to show, use multiple evaluation measures, and interpret findings carefully.
When the Soviet Union posed an existential threat to America, there was no room for mistakes. Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, under President Carter, called on his former experience as Secretary of the Air Force (under LBJ in the Vietnam War), as director of Livermore Laboratory, and as director of U.S. Defense Research and Engineering (under Kennedy) to deter the Soviets during the Cold War. Brown's new memoir gives an insider's view.
From 2000 to 2010, the proportion of Americans who were severely obese—those people 100 pounds or more overweight—rose from 3.9 percent of the population to 6.6 percent—an increase of about 70 percent.
Globalization, integrated markets, and the Internet economy have contributed to the rise in IPR infringements. RAND developed a methodology based on economic theory to contribute to quantifying the scope, scale, and impact of IPR infringements, such as counterfeiting, unauthorized downloads, and piracy.
Obama has championed an "all-of-the-above strategy" to develop every available source of American energy "while making sure we never have to choose between protecting our environment and strengthening our economy." Romney would not provide support for ventures in new energy technologies. RAND's research on renewable fuels, oil shale development, and fuel taxes provides options.
Both President Obama and Governor Romney have argued that while NCLB's goals of holding schools accountable and shrinking the achievement gap are admirable, the law is in dire need of adjustment. Both platforms do appear to be largely based on existing evidence from education research, with a few caveats.
Legal and illegal immigration have very different effects on U.S. taxpayers and the economy as a whole, and the debate over how to reform our current muddled system should take these into account.
Income inequality became the principal concern of the Occupy Wall Street movement and has been a prominent issue throughout the U.S. presidential campaign season. The ongoing debate emphasizes the magnitude of inequality, neglecting
why income gaps occur and what, if anything, to do about it.
In an effort to look beyond the 2012 U.S. election and promote "farsighted leadership in a shortsighted world," the fall issue of
RAND Review offers commentaries intended to transcend partisan rhetoric and foster policies that both presidential candidates could well accept. Nine key election issues are addressed.
Society pays for high school dropouts' increased dependency on welfare, increased criminal activity, and decreased engagement in community service. The benefits of the National Guard's Youth ChalleNGe Program more than repay society's investment in it.
Having a bank account increases security, reduces vulnerability to theft, and helps account holders develop financial smarts. But new findings show growing rates of unbanked Americans.
With 2012 seeing dozens of presidential elections around the globe and several additional leadership transitions, RAND experts offer observations on some of the nations in flux.
California's 28th chief justice discusses the importance of collaborative courts, her efforts to help the judiciary deal with the state's budget crisis, and the importance of civics education.
Many single entrées at U.S. chain restaurants serve up masses of calories, fat, and sodium. This infographic breaks down just how bad a full meal can be.
Kirkuk is Iraq's most combustible hotspot. There are important steps that either U.S. presidential candidate, if elected, should take to move Iraqis toward a settlement over the ethnically mixed city's political and legal status.
Whether the Affordable Care Act is repealed, defended, or weakened will hinge on who holds the balance of power next January. Regardless of what happens with the ACA, the spiraling cost of health care in the United States will remain a huge challenge.
Conflict with China is unlikely so long as the United States retains the capacity to deter behavior that could lead to a clash.
On the issue of democratization in the Arab world, it is especially important for U.S. leaders to take the long view, to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach, and to remember that there are strong grounds for optimism.
In the fight against al Qaeda, both President Obama and Governor Romney should place greater emphasis on the expansion of al Qaeda's global network beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Knowledge City is a planned environmentally and technologically advanced city in China's Guangzhou Development District. RAND worked with GDD to outline a set of strategies to help the city attract and retain high-tech firms and workers and to ensure the availability of innovation-oriented financing.
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