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

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.

A Promising Start for Personalized Learning in Miami-Dade
Web Post
Griffin Catalyst
Nov 2025

A Promising Start for Personalized Learning in Miami-Dade

Griffin Catalyst highlights its three-year gift to the Education Lab to bring an innovative, high-dosage, math tutoring initiative to middle schools in Miami-Dade County to support and accelerate student learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial results from the program are promising, suggesting that this approach can help tackle learning loss and enable students to catch up to grade level.