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Educational Program Evaluation

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RAND rigorously evaluates all kinds of educational programs by performing cost-benefit analyses, measuring effects on student learning, and providing recommendations to help improve program design and implementation. Our portfolio of educational program evaluations includes studies of early childhood education, summer and after-school programs, educator pay-for-performance, programs intended to reduce educational disparities, and choice- and standards-based reforms.

Essay

Investing in Principals Helps Students Succeed

Jul 5, 2019

Hiring good principals is one of the most important things a district can do for its students, second only to hiring good teachers. Students whose schools participated in a principal pipeline initiative outperformed their peers by six percentage points on reading tests and nearly three points in math.
Research Brief

Restorative Practices Help Reduce Student Suspensions

Dec 27, 2018

Restorative practices—inclusive and non-punitive ways to respond to conflict and build community—have been successful in reducing student suspensions in the Pittsburgh Public Schools district.

Explore Educational Program Evaluation

Commentary

Restorative Justice Isn’t a Panacea, but It Can Promote Better Relationships Among Students

Restorative practices aren't necessarily a panacea, but if implemented well, they can contribute to an overall solution. Teaching our children to treat one another with respect not only has the potential to make our schools safer, but also to help our children get along better throughout their lives

Oct 21, 2019
Report

Report

Putting Professional Learning to Work: What Principals Do with Their Executive Development Program Learning

This report presents findings from part of RAND's evaluation of the National Institute for School Leadership's Executive Development Program (EDP) for sitting school principals, focusing on how principals applied their EDP learning and coaching.

Oct 7, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Digital Feedback in Primary Maths: Evaluation Report

This report evaluates the efficacy of a digital feedback programme designed to maximise the impact of teachers' feedback on pupil outcome.

Oct 1, 2019
Brochure

The RAND Center for Social and Emotional Learning Research

This product outlines the programs of the RAND Center for Social and Emotional Learning.

Sep 16, 2019
Report

Supporting College Enrollees Who Test at the Lowest Levels of Readiness: Lessons from Texas Community Colleges

Beginning in fall 2015, Texas policymakers recommended that colleges offer targeted supports to students who tested at the lowest levels on the state's placement exam. This report describes the reforms and their implementation by community colleges.

Aug 26, 2019
Journal Article

Get Smart About Social and Emotional Learning Measurement

This paper provides guidance to educators and policymakers who are interested in measuring social and emotional learning practices and competencies. It is part of a series of papers on SEL published by the American Enterprise Institute.

Aug 22, 2019
Commentary

North Carolina Program Helps Former Prisoners Make It on the Outside

To avoid the all-too-common fate of ending up back in prison, incarcerated adults need skills and credentials they typically don't have. Helping them overcome the challenges of reentry is a net gain for them and for the communities to which they return.

Jul 11, 2019
Commentary

Research Rigor Is Undermined by Translating Into Years of Learning

The research field increasingly recognizes that we need metrics that everyone can understand. Translating the result into years of learning has become a popular approach, but this metric has major flaws. There are better options.

Jul 5, 2019
Multimedia

Principal Pipelines: A Feasible, Affordable, and Effective Way to Improve Schools

A recent RAND report found that implementing “principal pipelines”—a strategic approach to the hiring, preparation, evaluation, and support of school leaders—can improve schools. In this congressional briefing, Susan Gates discusses the feasibility, effectiveness, and affordability of principal pipelines.

Jun 17, 2019
Report

Report

Raising the Bar for K–12 Academics: Early Signals on How Louisiana's Education Policy Strategies Are Working for Schools, Teachers, and Students

This report, part of a four-part series on the implementation and outcomes of Louisiana's education initiatives, focuses on Louisiana's strategies to support and improve K-12 academics.

Jun 11, 2019
Report

Report

The "Raising the Bar" Series on Louisiana's Education Policy Strategies to Support Students from Birth Through High School: Technical Appendix — Data Sources and Methods

This technical appendix describes the data sources, samples, and analytic methods used in a series of reports examining implementation and outcomes associated with Louisiana's education policy actions.

Jun 11, 2019
Report

Report

Raising the Bar for Early Childhood Education: Early Signals on How Louisiana's Education Policy Strategies Are Working for Early Childhood Providers and Community Networks

This report, part of a four-part series on the implementation and outcomes of Louisiana's education initiatives, focuses on the state's efforts to support and improve early childhood education.

Jun 11, 2019
Research Brief

What Other States Can Learn from Louisiana's School Reform

Louisiana's education policy changes aim to improve outcomes for public school students statewide. How well are these reforms working? Analyses of the state's early efforts to reshape its education system point to several early successes, remaining challenges, and key lessons.

Jun 11, 2019
Report

Report

Raising the Bar for Teacher Preparation: Early Signals on How Louisiana's Education Policy Strategies Are Working Across the State

This report, part of a four-part series on the implementation and outcomes of Louisiana's education initiatives, focuses on the state's strategies for K-12 teacher preparation.

Jun 11, 2019
Report

Raising the Bar for Graduation Pathways to College and Work: Early Signals on How Louisiana's Education Policy Strategies Are Affecting College and Career Readiness

This report, part of a four-part series on implementation and outcomes of Louisiana's education initiatives, focuses on Louisiana's high school graduation pathways, which aim to improve college readiness, career readiness, and financial aid access.

Jun 11, 2019
Report

Report

Investing in Successful Summer Programs: A Review of Evidence Under the Every Student Succeeds Act

This report, which provides a systematic review of the evidence supporting summer programs and descriptions of evidence-based programs, is intended to provide guidance regarding the effectiveness of summer interventions.

Jun 5, 2019
Tool

Tools for Improving Corequisite Models: A Guide for College Practitioners

This toolkit acts as a guide to improvement strategies for teams of practitioners at colleges, providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to carry out rapid cycles of data-driven improvement to address issues they face on the ground.

May 28, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Translating Standardized Effects of Education Programs Into More Interpretable Metrics

Compares four ways to translate standardized effect sizes into metrics that may be easier for educators and policymakers to interpret. Concludes that translating to years of learning is a poor choice; translating to percentile gains is recommended.

May 23, 2019
Commentary

What Two New Studies Reveal About Restorative Justice in Middle School

There are many nuances to the implementation and impact of restorative practices. This suggests that continued experimentation could allow school districts to realize the benefits of instituting these practices and reduce the cost of doing so.

Apr 17, 2019

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RAND Topic:
Educational Program Evaluation

Research conducted by

RAND Education and Labor