Policy and Program Evaluation

We work with government agencies and community-based partners to rigorously evaluate programs that aim to ensure all students have the opportunity for future success.

Across every project or partner, we work to generate high-quality research about the factors driving education trends and identify evidence-based interventions to support students. Access to good and unbiased data is the common denominator for strong evaluation, which is why we pursue data-sharing agreements with public agencies and seek to make our own data publicly available whenever possible. We focus on policies and programs that are supporting the communities and individuals who face the most significant barriers to success.

From leading randomized controlled trials – the gold standard in research – to evaluating historical and real-time data, the Education Lab uses a variety of methods to rigorously evaluate policies and interventions.

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Latest Updates

Jens Ludwig: Parents of private school students like the Lab School are also worried about the future of education
Op-Ed
The Chicago Tribune
Jan 2025

Jens Ludwig: Parents of private school students like the Lab School are also worried about the future of education

Education Lab faculty co-director Jens Ludwig pens and op-ed about parents’ concerns with America’s public schools.

Partner Spotlight: How AJ Gutierrez is increasing educational equity through collaboration and evaluation
Media Mention
J-PAL
Dec 2024

Partner Spotlight: How AJ Gutierrez is increasing educational equity through collaboration and evaluation

Over the past ten years, Saga’s growth and success has been bolstered through collaborations with researchers, community organizations, and research centers like J-PAL North America and the University of Chicago’s Education Lab.

Jens Ludwig and Randall Stephenson: What America can learn from ‘Toyota Way’ to improve education outcomes
Op-Ed
The Chicago Tribune
Dec 2024

Jens Ludwig and Randall Stephenson: What America can learn from ‘Toyota Way’ to improve education outcomes

Jens Ludwig and Randall Stephenson present a transformative idea to improve learning outcomes in the U.S.