Education

RAND researchers have policy and hands-on experience in education and training. Research includes K-12 assessment and accountability, school reform, teachers and teaching, higher education, military education and training, worker training, and substance-abuse prevention in schools. View all Education Documents Available Online or find general information at Reports and Bookstore.

More »Featured Research

Charter School Students in Chicago Enjoy Better Graduation, College Entry Rates — May 7, 2008

Chicago's multi-grade charter high schools (those serving students in grades 7-12, 6-12 or K-12) appear to improve their students' chances of graduating and attending college, as compared with the city's traditional public high schools.

Full Document News Release Research Brief

Spirituality for Kids After-School Program has Significant Positive Effects — Apr. 29, 2008

A nonreligious after-school program, Spirituality for Kids (SFK) seeks to build resilience in children. Interestingly, it improves not just social and internal outcomes but also school-related outcomes, even though it is not an academic intervention.

Full Document Research Brief

More »Featured Project

No Child Left Behind Panel Discussion — Feb. 25, 2008

In a panel discussion hosted by the RAND Corporation, RAND researchers and experts in the field made observations on the implementation and effectiveness of No Child Left Behind. Audio of the event is available online.

Listen to the Audio

View All »Related News & Commentary

May 7, 2008: Charter School Students in Chicago Enjoy Better Graduation, College Entry Rates

April 4, 2008: Miscommunication Hindered Student Participation in Choice Programs Created by No Child Left Behind Act

February 12, 2008: Broadening Qatari Post-Secondary Education Offerings Would Help Meet Future Employment Needs

January 29, 2008: California Lags Nation in Tracking Students' Educational Progress

November 19, 2007: Study Finds That 'No Child Left Behind' Accountability Systems Are Largely in Place, But Act's Promises Remain Uncertain

View All »Featured Reports

Examining Gaps in Mathematics Achievement Among Racial-Ethnic Groups, 1972-1992

Cover: Examining Gaps in Mathematics Achievement

Examines trends in the mathematics scores of different racial-ethnic groups over time and analyzes how changes in family, school, and schooling measures help explain changes in the test score gaps. Although there were few positive changes between schools, the within-school experiences of black and Latino students changed for the better compared with white students when measured by student self-reported academic track placement.

Full Document

The Economics of Investing in Universal Preschool Education in California

There is increased interest in California and other states in providing universal access to publicly funded preschool education. In considering such a program, policymakers and the public focus on the potential benefits and costs of such a program. This study aims to inform such deliberations by conducting an analysis of the economic returns from investing in high-quality preschool education in the state of California.