The Effect of School Choice on Student Outcomes in the United States

The Effect of School Choice on Student Outcomes in the United States

Summary of the Randomized Evaluation

Country

United States (Chicago)

Researchers

Julie Berry Cullen, Brian Jacob, Steven Levitt

Methods

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to evaluate the impact of school choice on student outcomes. The study involved 14,434 eighth-grade students who participated in randomized lotteries for admission to 19 different high schools. By comparing students who won the lottery (and thus attended their chosen schools) with those who did not, researchers aimed to identify any systematic benefits provided by attending these schools.
Context:

Chicago Public Schools operates one of the most extensive school choice programs in the United States. In this system, students can apply to attend schools outside their assigned neighbourhood schools. When the number of applications exceeds available spots, lotteries are used to allocate admissions, ensuring a randomized and fair selection process.

Improving Security through Concentrated Policing in Bogotá, Colombia

Improving Security through Concentrated Policing in Bogotá, Colombia

Summary of the Randomized Evaluation

Country

Colombia (Bogotá)

Researchers

Chris Blattman, Donald Green, Daniel Mejia, Daniel Ortega, Santiago Tobón

Methods

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of concentrated policing and municipal clean-ups on crime reduction and displacement in Bogotá, Colombia. The study targeted 1,919 high-crime street segments, randomly assigning them to one of four groups: concentrated policing, municipal clean-ups, both interventions, or a control group with no special interventions.
Context:

Crime in Bogotá is spatially concentrated, with a small percentage of street segments accounting for a significant portion of homicides and other crimes. The intervention aimed to address these high-crime areas through increased police presence and municipal maintenance, such as street light repairs, graffiti removal, and garbage collection. The study also aimed to measure potential crime displacement to neighbouring areas.

Reducing Inequality through a Summer Youth Employment Program in Boston

Reducing Inequality through a Summer Youth Employment Program in Boston

Summary of the Randomized Evaluation

Country

United States (Boston, MA).

Methods

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of the Boston Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) on participants' social behaviours, academic aspirations, and job readiness skills. The study involved 4,083 youth, who were selected through a lottery system.

Evaluating the Impact of a Growth Mindset Intervention in Argentina

Evaluating the Impact of a Growth Mindset Intervention in Argentina

Summary of the Randomized Evaluation 

Country

Argentina (Salta Province)

Researchers

Alejandro Ganimian

Methods

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a growth mindset intervention on educational attainment among secondary school students. The study involved 202 public secondary schools in the Province of Salta, with Grade 12 students participating in the intervention. Schools were randomly assigned to either the treatment group, where students received information about the potential to develop intelligence through practice, or the control group, which received no such intervention.

Changing Beliefs, Changing Bribes in India

Changing Beliefs, Changing Bribes in India

Summary of the Randomized Evaluation

Country

India (Rajasthan)

Researchers

Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, John Firth, Daniel Keniston, Ben Olken, Jeffrey Weaver

Methods

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of informing citizens about the true legal penalty for helmet violations on corruption and lawbreaking. The study included 17,369 motorcyclists across 112 towns in Rajasthan. Randomly selected motorcyclists were informed of the actual fine for not wearing a helmet through private information campaigns via phone calls and SMS messages. The comparison group received general safe driving messages without the fine details.