Published Research

We disseminate the results of our work as broadly as possible to benefit the public good. Tens of thousands of RAND publications are available as free downloads, dating back to 1946.

Journal Article
Think Again: Is Grade Retention Bad for Kids?
In this brief, we provide a review of recent literature on the causal effects of student grade retention and present three policy recommendations for those considering grade retention policies.
Oct 23, 2023
Umut Ozek, Louis T. Mariano
Journal Article
The Widening Achievement Gap Between Rich and Poor in a Nordic Country
We study a decade of achievement gaps for fifth-, eighth-, and 10th-grade students in Norway using administrative population data.
Oct 16, 2023
Astrid Marie Jorde Sandsør, Henrik Daae Zachrisson, Lynn A. Karoly, Eric Dearing
Journal Article
Educational Attainment and US Drug Overdose Deaths
This paper studies how overdose rates have disproportionately changed for low education populations.
Oct 9, 2023
David Powell
Commentary
The American Mathematics Educator Study: Unraveling the Formula for Equitable and Excellent Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Authors lay out a research agenda for the American Mathematics Educator Study by synthesizing what they know from mathematics education research regarding key factors that shape equitable, high-quality mathematics teaching and learning.
Oct 5, 2023
Julia H. Kaufman, Elizabeth D. Steiner, Ashley Woo
Report
Teaching and Leading: An Evaluation of the Impacts and Professional Trajectories of Teach For America Participants in Indianapolis
The authors quantify the impacts of Teach For America Indianapolis (TFA Indy) on student and school outcomes in the Indianapolis area, by evaluating the effectiveness and retention of TFA Indy teachers in comparison with other teachers.
Jul 20, 2023
Benjamin K. Master, Kata Mihaly, Jonathan Schweig, Tiffany Berglund, Lynn Hu
Journal Article
Diversity in Schools: Immigrants and the Educational Performance of U.S.-Born Students
We find that the presence of immigrant students has a positive effect on the academic achievement of U.S.-born students, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Jul 13, 2023
David N. Figlio, Paola Giuliano, Riccardo Marchingiglio, Umut Ozek, Paola Sapienza
Research Brief
Getting Students to and Through Advanced Math: Which Students Have Access and How State and District Leaders Can Help Address Challenges
This research brief summarizes how students’ opportunities to prepare for and take advanced math courses in the United States differ by school context
Apr 17, 2023
Rebecca L. Wolfe, Elizabeth D. Steiner, Jonathan Schweig
Report
Education and Child Welfare System Efforts to Improve Educational Outcomes for Youth in Foster Care: Identifying Opportunities to Enhance Cross-System Collaboration
In this report, the authors examine how fragmentation within and misalignment between the education and child welfare systems influence opportunities for the cross-system collaboration needed to support students in foster care.
Apr 4, 2023
Susan Bush-Mecenas, Heather Gomez-Bendaña, Dionne Barnes-Proby, Susan M. Gates
Report
Getting Students to (and Through) Advanced Math: Where Course Offerings and Content Are Not Adding Up
High schoolers who take advanced math have advantages in college admissions and in securing STEM careers. This report examines how students' opportunities to prepare for and take advanced math courses in the United States differ by school context.
Mar 21, 2023
Rebecca L. Wolfe, Elizabeth D. Steiner, Jonathan Schweig
Report
Supporting Equitable Math Instruction in California: Findings from the 2022 Learn Together Survey and the 2022 American Instructional Resources Survey
In 2023, California will implement a new statewide math framework that will drive curriculum decisions for years to come. Researchers leveraged data collected from California math teachers to paint a picture of math instruction throughout the state.
Mar 21, 2023
Ashley Woo, Elizabeth D. Steiner
Tool
How the Effects of Racial Bias Compound
Researchers illustrate the ways in which small effects of racial bias can compound over lifetimes. Users of this tool can adjust the amount of racial bias to see its effects on educational achievement, income growth, and wealth accumulation.
Jul 27, 2022
James M. Anderson, Heather Gomez-Bendaña, Rachel Perera, Alyson Youngblood, Maria Gardner, Heather McCracken, Lee Floyd
Report
One Year into the Pandemic, What Secondary Math Teachers Said About Challenges to Standards-Aligned Instruction and Skipping Content
The authors use 2020 and 2021 Learn Together Survey data to examine challenges to standards-aligned instruction during COVID-19 reported by secondary math teachers and how frequently and why these teachers skipped standards-aligned math content.
May 11, 2022
Rebecca L. Wolfe, Jonathan Schweig, Elizabeth D. Steiner
Report
Adapting Course Placement Processes in Response to COVID-19 Disruptions: Guidance for Schools and Districts
Because of the pandemic, spring 2020 end-of-year assessments were canceled and schools began the 2020-2021 year without assessment data. The authors compare three strategies to estimate missing test scores and help with course placement decisions.
Feb 16, 2021
Jonathan Schweig, Andrew McEachin, Megan Kuhfeld, Louis T. Mariano, Melissa Kay Diliberti
Journal Article
Inequality in Household Adaptation to Schooling Shocks: Covid-induced Online Learning Engagement in Real Time
Using internet searches, we study real-time demand for online learning resources. Internet searches for online learning resources doubled during the pandemic. Increases were larger in are as with higher income and better internet access. The pandemic will likely widen achievement gaps along these dimensions.
Feb 3, 2021
Andrew Bacher-Hicks, Joshua Goodman, Christine Mulhern
Report
Do Teachers Perceive That Their Main Instructional Materials Meet English Learners' Needs? Key Findings from the 2020 American Instructional Resources Survey
In this Data Note, researchers draw on data from the spring 2020 American Instructional Resources Survey to examine teachers' perceptions of how their main materials meet the needs of English learners.
Jan 27, 2021
Andrea Prado Tuma, Sy Doan, Rebecca Ann Lawrence
Report
Every Summer Counts: A Longitudinal Analysis of Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Project
This seventh report in a series presents longitudinal findings on the effectiveness of voluntary summer learning programs in five school districts. The authors also offer implications for policy on narrowing the achievement gap between students.
Dec 17, 2020
Jennifer Sloan McCombs, Catherine H. Augustine, John F. Pane, Jonathan Schweig
Report
The Digital Divide and COVID-19: Teachers' Perceptions of Inequities in Students' Internet Access and Participation in Remote Learning
Researchers investigate the relationship between teachers' reports of students' internet access and their interaction with students and families during school closures related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Sep 24, 2020
Laura Stelitano, Sy Doan, Ashley Woo, Melissa Kay Diliberti, Julia H. Kaufman, Daniella Henry

Published Research

Featured Publications

Resisting Russia: Insights into Ukraine's Civilian-Based Actions During the First Four Months of the War in 2022 2023

All Work and No Pay — Teachers' Perceptions of Their Pay and Hours Worked: Findings from the 2023 State of the American Teacher Survey 2023

National Public Defense Workload Study 2023

Preparing for Great Power Conflict: How Experience Shapes U.S. and Chinese Military Training 2023

Exploring Ohio's Pipeline of Manufacturing Workers: Summary of Key Findings 2023

One- to Four-Family Properties with Multiple Losses Insured by the National Flood Insurance Program: Property Characteristics, Community Demographics, and Mitigation Strategies 2023