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.

Latest Updates

Q&A With Eleni Packis: Supporting Student Engagement During Remote Learning
Web Post
UChicago Education Lab
Sep 2026

Q&A With Eleni Packis: Supporting Student Engagement During Remote Learning

Read a Q&A with Eleni Packis, co-author of a working paper presenting evidence from three large-scale randomized controlled trials carried out during the 2020 shift to virtual instruction to study interventions aimed at re-engaging students in virtual environments.

Every Choice Has Opportunity: Inside the ECHO Curriculum
Event
UChicago Education Lab
Apr 2026

Every Choice Has Opportunity: Inside the ECHO Curriculum

The Crime Lab and Education Lab hosted a webinar to provide an in-depth look at the research behind ECHO, our approach to creating it, and an overview of resources and tips to get started with using the curriculum.

Philadelphia’s tutoring program shows promise but faces familiar obstacle: expanding it effectively
Media Mention
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Dec 2025

Philadelphia’s tutoring program shows promise but faces familiar obstacle: expanding it effectively

The Education Lab’s John Wolf spoke to Rebecca Redelmeier for Chalkbeat Philadelphia about our research showing high-dosage tutoring works—but only when students receive enough of it each week to produce measurable gains.