Louay Constant

With the Evacuation Over, Afghanistan Is Left to Contend with a Worsening Refugee Crisis

The more than 100,000 civilians recently evacuated from Afghanistan are a small fraction of those who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to war. To avoid worsening the existing humanitarian crisis, the global community should take swift action, including close coordination with regional and national players.

Colombia's Trailblazing Model for Refugees

Colombia recently announced it will give temporary protection status to a million undocumented Venezuelan refugees, with permission to live and work in the country for 10 years. In doing so, it created a new model for managing its own refugee situation and perhaps others elsewhere.

Curb Climate Change After COVID-19? Fast-Growing India and Brazil Are Key

India and Brazil are facing pressure to launch recoveries after the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Will they backslide on their Paris climate agreement commitments, or will the expected return of the United States to the pact encourage them to build a more sustainable economic future?

Five Strategies to Address Employment Hurdles Faced by Young Syrian Women Refugees

Young Syrian women refugees face enormous challenges in finding meaningful work in host countries, with many relying on humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs. How can employment obstacles be addressed for young Syrian women refugees in a post–COVID-19 environment?

Addressing Lebanon's Ailments, Acute and Chronic

The recent explosion in Beirut has again led to calls for political and economic reforms in Lebanon. The country has an economy in crisis, corruption, few job opportunities, and an influx of 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Sustained global investment is needed if Lebanon is to recover over the long run.

Economic Recovery in Egypt Should Include Women

Despite tremendous strides in educational attainment, women's engagement in the labor force in Egypt remains limited. Will Egypt's post-pandemic recovery further exacerbate structural barriers and inequities? Or could the current economic crisis be an opportunity to develop new opportunities to employ women and foster conditions for a more inclusive and diversified labor force?

Economic Burden or Opportunity? How Syrian Refugees Can Contribute to Local Economies

The influx of refugees escaping the war in Syria has placed an enormous economic burden on the countries that host them. Despite the challenges, host countries have an opportunity to capitalize on the presence of refugees to grow their own economies for the mutual benefit of all.

As Refugees, Syrian Women Find Liberation in Working

Syrian refugee women in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan want opportunities to work. But there are multiple barriers and challenges that limit them. Improving the chances of safe and dignified work opportunities for Syrian women in these countries could yield broad positive social benefits for both the refugee and host communities.

Syrian Skills: A Missed Opportunity

Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon are finding ways to get by. But many refugees are not able to fully use their skills, and that is a lost opportunity both for the Syrians and the host countries.

Making the 'Gap Year' More Inclusive and Purposeful

High schools and universities should work together, with the support of policymakers, to develop programs that would provide a wider spectrum of U.S. students with the opportunity to take a purposeful gap year—and enter college with some real-world adult experience behind them.

Battered by War, Syrian Refugee Kids Need to Be Taught

More than 700,000 Syrian refugee children are not receiving formal education. Host countries are struggling to create enough spaces to accommodate them in schools, and there are no formal programs to teach children who have missed years of instruction.

Building a Sound Technical and Vocational Education and Training System

Technical and vocational education and training in India has expanded significantly over the past two decades. But quality and relevance remain significant issues. What may be learned from other countries' experiences?

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2020–2021

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program serves young people experiencing difficulty in traditional high school. This report documents program trends in 2020–2021 and presents analyses on the Job ChalleNGe program.

Report

Identifying Opportunities to Recruit More Individuals Above the Age of 21 into the U.S. Army

Older recruits, as a group, score higher on Army qualification tests and are more likely to reenlist and to be promoted. RAND researchers examined the potential for recruiting individuals older than 21 and derived actionable recommendations.

Report

Developing Outcome Measures for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe is a residential program for youth experiencing difficulties in traditional high school. This capstone report describes some of RAND's research and analyses on the ChalleNGe program from late 2017 through mid-2020.

Report

Organizational and Cultural Causes of Army First-Term Attrition

The U.S. Army invests significant resources in new soldiers. When a soldier does not complete a full contract term, the Army views this as a net loss. This report assesses the organizational mechanisms that could be driving attrition.

Report

In Search of a Durable Solution: Examining the Factors Influencing Postconflict Refugee Returns

There are 30 million refugees globally. Only one-third of refugees return home after ten years, and returns are not keeping pace with new displacements. The authors examine barriers to, and facilitators of, the safe, sustained return of refugees.

Report

A Targeted Industry Approach for Raising Quality Private-Sector Employment in Saudi Arabia

To help the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia develop its private sector and generate quality employment for Saudi citizens, the authors of this report assess the potential for Saudi Arabia to develop a specific industry: food manufacturing.

Report

Examining Career and Technical Education in National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Programs

The authors examined career and technical education opportunities for participants in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, a residential, quasi-military program for youth ages 16-18 who are experiencing difficulty in traditional high school.

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2019–2020

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program serves young people experiencing difficulty in traditional high school through a 5.5-month residential program. The authors of this report document the progress of program participants in 2019 and 2020.

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2018–2019

In the fourth annual report on the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe, a residential, quasi-military program for youth struggling in traditional high school, researchers provide information on participants who entered the program in 2018.

Journal Article

Addressing Employment Obstacles for Young Syrian Refugee Women

This Note builds on research covering the three countries with the highest concentration of Syrian refugees displaced since 2011: Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Report

Barriers to Employment That Women Face in Egypt: Policy Challenges and Considerations

In this report, the authors examine key issues (such as childcare costs, negative attitudes, wage gaps, and sexual harassment) that constrain women's employment and could hinder improvement of Egypt's economic outlook.

Commentary

Online Outsourcing: Prospects for Increasing Youth Employment and Reducing Poverty in Indonesia

In this Perspective, the authors review the potential benefits and drawbacks of online outsourcing, including microwork and freelancing, with special reference to its potential for youth employment and poverty reduction in Indonesia.

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2017–2018

This report documents the progress of participants in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program in 2017-2018. ChalleNGe is a residential, quasi-military program for youth ages 16-18 who are experiencing difficulty in traditional high school.

Report

Opportunities for All: Mutually Beneficial Opportunities for Syrians and Host Countries in Middle Eastern Labor Markets

This report examines the labor markets in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon for Syrian migrants fleeing the civil war. Each country has its specific challenges, and recommendations are tailored to each to improve the socioeconomic environment for all.

Research Brief

Win-Win Solutions for Syrian Refugees — and Their Hosts

Nearly 7 million Syrian refugees live in other Middle Eastern countries due to the Syrian Civil War. RAND researchers conducted surveys and focus groups to find policies that might create economic opportunities for refugees and host-nation workers.

Report

The Value of Experience in the Enlisted Force

The relationships between tenure, experience, and productivity of key noncommissioned officer leadership in the U.S. Army and performance of the junior soldiers they lead are examined in this report.

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2016–2017

This report presents information on recent participants of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe, a quasi-military program for young people lacking a high school diploma. It also documents program progress in academics, fitness, and other areas.

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2015–2016

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe is a residential, quasi-military program for young people at risk of dropping out of high school. This report provides information on recent ChalleNGe participants and develops metrics of program success.

Report

Initiatives to Improve Quality of Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Administration, School Monitoring, Private School Policies, and Teacher Training (Kurdish-language version)

RAND supported the Kurdistan Regional Government in its aims to restructure its Ministry of Education, develop plans for a school quality assurance system, review support of private schools, and assess the content and quality of in-service training.

Report

Initiatives to Improve Quality of Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Administration, School Monitoring, Private School Policies, and Teacher Training (Arabic-language version)

RAND supported the Kurdistan Regional Government in its aims to restructure its Ministry of Education, develop plans for a school quality assurance system, review support of private schools, and assess the content and quality of in-service training.

Report

Initiatives to Improve Quality of Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Administration, School Monitoring, Private School Policies, and Teacher Training

RAND supported the Kurdistan Regional Government in its aims to restructure its Ministry of Education, develop plans for a school quality assurance system, review support of private schools, and assess the content and quality of in-service training.

Report

Education of Syrian Refugee Children: Managing the Crisis in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan

This report reviews education of Syrian refugee children in the three neighboring countries with the largest population of refugees -- Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan -- and analyzes four areas: access, management, society, and quality.

Report

A Preliminary Assessment of the Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) Concept's Implications for Army Personnel Management

RAND Arroyo Center explored how the U.S. Army might need to adapt its personnel management policies and practices to support the Regionally Aligned Forces concept.

Report

Improving the Mongolian Labor Market and Enhancing Opportunities for Youth

Drawing on Mongolian and international data, RAND analyzed the Mongolian labor market and compared it internationally. Based on an original survey, this report also examines challenges young people face in employment and education in Mongolia.

Report

Making an Impact in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Summary of Four Studies to Assess the Present and Future Labor Market, Improve Technical Vocational Education and Training, Reform the Health Sector, and Build Data Collection Capacity

This executive summary describes key results from four studies carried out by the RAND Corporation for the Kurdistan Regional Government. These studies aim to improve the economic and social development of the Kurdistan Region -- Iraq.

Report

An Assessment of the Present and Future Labor Market in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Implications for Policies to Increase Private-Sector Employment (Kurdish-language version)

The study addresses the issue of improving the private-sector labor market in the Kurdistan Region--Iraq. Doing so will involve creating mechanisms by which job-seekers can develop the right skills and employers can find the employees they need.

Report

An Assessment of the Present and Future Labor Market in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Implications for Policies to Increase Private-Sector Employment (Arabic-language version)

The study addresses the issue of improving the private-sector labor market in the Kurdistan Region--Iraq. Doing so will involve creating mechanisms by which job-seekers can develop the right skills and employers can find the employees they need.

Report

Youth in Jordan: Transitions from Education to Employment

High youth unemployment in Jordan remains a serious economic and social problem, leading to delays in marriage and family formation. This study examines the perceptions of young Jordanians on issues relevant to their transitions into adult roles.

Report

An Assessment of the Present and Future Labor Market in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Implications for Policies to Increase Private-Sector Employment

The study addresses the issue of improving the private-sector labor market in the Kurdistan Region–Iraq. Doing so will involve creating mechanisms by which job-seekers can develop the right skills and employers can find the employees they need.

Report

Improving Technical Vocational Education and Training in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Arabic-language version

Examines the adequacy of technical and vocational education and training in Iraq's growing Kurdistan Region; identifies areas for improvement through interviews with a variety of officials and an analysis of similar systems in other nations.

Report

Improving Technical Vocational Education and Training in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Kurdish-language version

Examines the adequacy of technical and vocational education and training in Iraq's growing Kurdistan Region; identifies areas for improvement through interviews with a variety of officials and an analysis of similar systems in other nations.

Infographic

Dropping Out, Opting In: Why the National Guard's Youth ChalleNGe Program for High School Dropouts is a Solid Social Investment

RAND researchers studying the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program found that the benefits associated with the program more than repay society's investment in it.

Report

Strategies for Private-Sector Development and Civil-Service Reform in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Arabic-language version

This monograph provides strategies to reemploy civil-service workers in the private sector and to increase private-sector employment in the Kurdistan Region -- Iraq.

Report

Strategic Priorities for Improving Access to Quality Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Arabic-language version

Describes the strategic priorities and recommendations RAND arrived at by assessing the status of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq's in-process reform of its K-12 education system.

Report

Strategies for Private-Sector Development and Civil-Service Reform in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Kurdish-language version

This monograph provides strategies to reemploy civil-service workers in the private sector and to increase private-sector employment in the Kurdistan Region -- Iraq.

Report

Improving Technical Vocational Education and Training in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq

Examines the adequacy of technical and vocational education and training in Iraq's growing Kurdistan Region; identifies areas for improvement through interviews with a variety of officials and an analysis of similar systems in other nations.

Report

Strategic Priorities for Improving Access to Quality Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Kurdish-language version

Describes the strategic priorities and recommendations RAND arrived at by assessing the status of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq's in-process reform of its K-12 education system.

Report

Strategies for Private-Sector Development and Civil-Service Reform in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq

Strategies for Private-Sector Development and Civil-Service Reform in the Kurdistan Region -- Iraq

Report

Strategic Priorities for Improving Access to Quality Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq

Describes the strategic priorities and recommendations RAND arrived at by assessing the status of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq's in-process reform of its K-12 education system.

Report

Readiness Reporting for an Adaptive Army

Examines the Army's readiness reporting system in light of changes experienced by Army units in the past decade, particularly the ability of units to adapt to emerging requirements by adding and training up new capabilities quickly.

Journal Article

Qatar

This chapter focuses on Qatar's education system, describing the laws and policies under which both public and non-public schools operate.

Report

Qatar's School Transportation System: Supporting Safety, Efficiency, and Service Quality (Arabic-language version)

Assesses stakeholder perspectives on Qatar's school transportation system (STS), identifies a vision and goals for the STS, and discusses strategies to achieve the vision and better align Qatar's STS with international norms. This is the Arabic-language version.

Report

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

A cost-benefit analysis of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, a program serving high school dropouts, indicates that every dollar invested in the program yields $2.66 in social benefits, an estimated return on investment of 166 percent.

Research Brief

Meeting the Challenge: The Economic Return on Investment in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

A cost-benefit analysis of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, a program serving high school dropouts, indicates that every dollar invested in the program yields $2.66 in social benefits, an estimated return on investment of 166 percent.

Report

Qatar's School Transportation System: Supporting Safety, Efficiency, and Service Quality

Assesses stakeholder perspectives on Qatar's school transportation system (STS), identifies a vision and goals for the STS, and discusses strategies to achieve the vision and better align Qatar's STS with international norms.

Research Brief

Updating Qatar's School Transportation System

Describes a vision for updating Qatar's school transportation system and identifies strategies for achieving the proposed vision.

Report

K-12 Education Reform in Qatar

Examines the progress that Qatar has made in implementing a comprehensive reform, begun in 2002, of its K-12 education system.

Research Brief

Hours of Opportunity: How Cities Can Use Data to Improve Services in Out-of-School Time Programs

Five cities that received a grant from The Wallace Foundation, along with three other cities that were not part of the initiative, were successful in using data from management information systems to improve out-of-school-time programs.

Research Brief

Hours of Opportunity: How Cities Can Build Systems to Improve Out-of-School-Time Programs

Five cities that received a grant from The Wallace Foundation to increase collaboration, access, quality, information sharing, and sustainability in their out-of-school-time systems used different planning approaches to meet the initiative's goals.

Report

Hours of Opportunity, Volume 3: Profiles of Five Cities Improving After-School Programs Through a Systems Approach

The third in this three-volume series presents in-depth case studies of five cities that received funding from The Wallace Foundation to improve out-of-school-time program provision: Providence, Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Report

Hours of Opportunity, Volume 1: Lessons from Five Cities on Building Systems to Improve After-School, Summer School, and Other Out-of-School-Time Programs

The first in this three-volume series describes the early work of cities that received a grant from The Wallace Foundation to increase collaboration, access, quality, information sharing, and sustainability in their out-of-school-time systems.

Report

Hours of Opportunity, Volume 2: The Power of Data to Improve After-School Programs Citywide

The second in this three-volume series describes how Wallace Foundation grantees and three other cities used management information systems to collect and use data on out-of-school-time programs, including enrollment, attendance, and outcomes.

Journal Article

Promoting Quality and Variety Through the Public Financing of Privately Operated Schools in Qatar

Qatar began establishing publicly funded, privately operated "independent schools" in parallel with the existing Ministry of Education system in 2002.

Research Brief

Building Cohesive Leadership Systems to Improve School Leadership

Documents efforts to build cohesive systems of state and district policies to improve school leadership.

Research Brief

Qatar's K–12 Education Reform Has Achieved Success in Its Early Years

Describes RAND's evaluation of the progress made in the first years of Qatar's K-12 education reform.

Research Brief

Qatar's K-12 Education Reform Has Achieved Success in Its Early Years (Arabic version)

Describes RAND's evaluation of the progress made in the first years of Qatar's K-12 education reform.

Report

Implementation of the K-12 Education Reform in Qatar's Schools

RAND's analysis of the early years of Qatar's system-wide K-12 education reform finds that students in new, Independent schools perform better than those in Ministry schools, but most are still not meeting the new, higher curriculum standards.

Research Brief

Improving Finance for Qatari Education Reform (Arabic version)

Qatari education reform, which included implementation of a new finance system, appears to be providing schools with adequate funding but is still struggling with issues of transparency and swift policy shifts that have been difficult to accommodate.

Research Brief

Improving Finance for Qatari Education Reform

Qatar's education reform, which included implementation of a new finance system, appears to be providing schools with adequate funding but is still struggling with issues of transparency and swift policy shifts that have been difficult to accommodate.

Report

Developing a School Finance System for K-12 Reform in Qatar

Reform-minded leaders of Qatar, who have embarked on a sweeping reform of their nation's education system, asked RAND to evaluate the education finance system that has been adopted and to offer suggestions for improvements.

Report

Improving School Leadership: The Promise of Cohesive Leadership Systems

Creating more-cohesive policies and initiatives to improve instructional leadership in schools appears to be a promising approach to developing school principals who are engaged in improving instruction.

Report

Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates: Executive Summary

Overview of the education and labor market initiatives under way in four Arab nations -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates -- to address the challenges of developing their human capital for the 21st century global economy.

Research Brief

Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region (Arabic Version)

This research brief describes an analysis of the reform efforts of four Arab region nations (Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates) in response to human capital challenges they face in preparing their people to work in a global environment.

Research Brief

Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region

This research brief describes an analysis of the reform efforts of four Arab region nations (Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates) in response to human capital challenges they face in preparing their people to work in a global environment.

Report

Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates

Describes the education and labor market initiatives under way in four Arab nations -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates -- to address the challenges of developing the human capital of their populations for the 21st century global economy.

Report

A Survey of Qatari Secondary School Seniors: Methods and Results

Presents the results of a survey of Qatari students enrolled in their final year of secondary school about their attitudes about further education and future work plans.

Research Brief

Identifying Priorities for Post-Secondary Education in Qatar (Arabic version)

This research brief summarizes RAND's analysis of the extent to which Qatar's post-secondary educational offerings can meet Qatar's future needs and offers remedies for identified shortcomings.

Research Brief

A New System for K-12 Education in Qatar (Arabic version)

This research brief highlights aspects of Phase I (2001-04) of Qatar's K-12 reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Report

Education for a New Era, Executive Summary: Design and Implementation of K-12 Education Reform in Qatar

Provides an overview of the first phase of Qatar's K-12 education reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this ambitious, multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Research Brief

Identifying Priorities for Post-Secondary Education in Qatar

This research brief summarizes RAND's analysis of the extent to which Qatar's post-secondary educational offerings can meet Qatar's future needs and offers remedies for identified shortcomings.

Report

Post-Secondary Education in Qatar: Employer Demand, Student Choice, and Options for Policy

Describes a study conducted to assess how well Qatar's post-secondary education system is producing Qataris capable of furthering the nation's goals, as well as to determine priorities for developing post-secondary opportunities.

Research Brief

A New System for K-12 Education in Qatar

This research brief highlights aspects of Phase I (2001-04) of Qatar's K-12 reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Report

Education for a New Era: Design and Implementation of K-12 Education Reform in Qatar

Describes the first phase of Qatar's bold K-12 education reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences as part of this ambitious, multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Draft

An Introduction to Qatar’s Primary and Secondary Education Reform

Describes a reform designed by Qatari education officials and RAND researchers to upgrade the school system of Qatar.

Journal Article

When Money Matters: Campaign Contributions, Roll Call Votes, and School Choice in Florida

This study examines the impact of teachers' union contributions on votes on two school choice bills in the Florida House of Representatives during the 1998 and 1999 sessions.

Report

Focus on the Wonder Years: Challenges Facing the American Middle School

Do middle schools meet the needs of young teens? If not, what needs to be done differently?

Research Brief

Problems and Promise of the American Middle School

This research brief describes work documented in Focus on the Wonder Years: Challenges Facing the American Middle School (MG-139-EDU).