With one of RAND's principal North American offices located in Pittsburgh, RAND has an understandable interest in addressing issues relevant to the Allegheny County region. Research studies have focused on topics ranging from child health and well-being and the structure of Pittsburgh Public Schools to the region’s government and infrastructure.
RESEARCH BRIEF
Many Pittsburgh residents in the communities around Frick Park are interested in environmental issues and education, and some use the park. However, awareness of the park and its Environmental Center could be improved, and barriers to use addressed.
REPORT
Researchers obtained community group and resident input into the design of the new environmental center building at Frick Park and acquired information about residents' attitudes toward and use of Frick Park more generally. The authors offer recommendations for the design of the new building, for the structuring and content of center programs, for improving access to the park and the center, and for successfully marketing park programs.
REPORT
Pittsburgh instituted a new college scholarship program to encourage eligible students to continue their education. An assessment of the program offers recommendations for improving its short- and long-term effectiveness.
RESEARCH BRIEF
To deal with the challenges of struggling public schools, declining populations, and diminishing quality in the local workforce, Pittsburgh instituted a new college scholarship program to encourage eligible students to continue their education.
NEWS RELEASE
Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood will be the focus of a RAND Corporation study that will examine how a full-service grocery store can influence the health of residents served by the store.
REPORT
The Allegheny County (Pa.) Maternal Depression Initiative is a local systems-change effort focused on increasing identification, referrals, and engagement in treatment as needed and appropriate for women at high risk for maternal depression. This summarizes how and why the initiative was created, the processes through which it was implemented and evaluated, and the results and lessons learned.
REPORT
In 2006, more than 6 million individuals were victimized by violent crimes. The extent of violence and its impact highlight a critical need to develop and implement effective programs to reduce violence and victimization, and to conduct critical evaluations to inform other violence-reduction programs.
RESEARCH BRIEF
A sharp increase in Pittsburgh homicides in 2003 led local leaders to launch an antiviolence initiative, One Vision One Life. Researchers found no program effects on homicide and negative effects on assaults.
COMMENTARY
The city's lame response shows, yet again, why we need more cooperation among local governments.
COMMENTARY
In the year since I moved to Pittsburgh from Southern California, it's become clear that I unwittingly chose the perfect moment in history to come here, writes Susan Everingham.
REPORT
In 2007, the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) requested that the RAND Corporation monitor implementation of year 2 (2007–2008) of the district's Excellence for All (EFA) initiative and provide feedback to district staff, the PPS board, and other stakeholders. The second year's broader focus on effective implementation of EFA's instructional change is evident here.
COMMENTARY
What Pittsburgh attraction provides $3 of economic output for every public dollar invested? The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. If you find this factoid unlikely, it is because the research that discovered it received an astounding lack of attention, write Susan Everingham and Sally Sleeper.
REPORT
The Math Science Partnership of Southwest Pennsylvania has made progress toward its goals of increasing student math and science achievement, increasing the quality of the educator workforce, and creating sustainable partnerships.
RESEARCH BRIEF
This research brief summarizes RAND's evaluation of the Math Science Partnership of Southwest Pennsylvania's progress toward increasing student achievement, increasing the quality of the educator workforce, and creating sustainable partnerships.
NEWS RELEASE
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh needs to explore new ways to secure adequate and stable funding, engage patrons and other stakeholders, and evaluate what services it offers.
NEWS RELEASE
Susan S. Everingham, a 20-year member of the RAND Corporation research and management staff, has been appointed director of the nonprofit research organization’s Pittsburgh office.
REPORT
The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania could enhance the economic progress of the region if its governments are consolidated, although evidence of such gains in other consolidations is mixed.
NEWS RELEASE
The RAND Corporation has presented the first Victor R. Fuchs Research Award to a team from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for publishing the best research paper with the potential to spawn new research in an underdeveloped area of health economics or health policy.
NEWS RELEASE
April 5, 2007 news release: U.S. Education Department Gives RAND $6 Million Grant to Evaluate Math Curriculum of Carnegie Learning.
REPORT
Special courts that sentence people with mental illness who are convicted of misdemeanors and low-level felonies to treatment instead of jail have the potential to save taxpayers money.
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