This dissertation presents two essays on econometric methods for program evaluation and policy choice. In Chapter 1, I develop a statistically optimal way of using data to make policy decisions when the performance of counterfactual policies is only partially identified. Specifically, I consider a class of statistical decision problems in which…

Do nudge interventions that have generated positive impacts at a local level maintain efficacy when scaled state or nationwide? What specific mechanisms explain the positive impacts of promising smaller-scale nudges? We investigate, through two randomized controlled trials, the impact of a national and state-level campaign to encourage students to…

Afterschool programs inspire kids to learn, help them make better decisions, and give parents peace of mind. Throughout the pandemic, 21st Century Community Learning Centers have kept kids engaged and learning and met the needs of families nationwide. But the demand for these programs far exceeds the supply. Nearly 25 million children are not in…

Many Extension programs are turning to the input-output software IMPLAN to demonstrate economic impacts. IMPLAN is a powerful tool that can be used to estimate the total economic activity associated with an industry, event, or policy. One possible application, therefore, is to use program spending data to estimate the economic effects of…

Effective partnerships for education reform "require that schools view parents and communities not simply as customers or clients but as partners in the educational process" (Sanders, 2009, p. 1695). In 2012, seven Seattle area school districts and the Puget Sound Educational Service District (the PSESD) were awarded funding for the Road…

Evaluated 30 Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) projects in Ontario, Canada. CAPC is a Canadian federal government initiative that funds community groups in activities supporting child development and strengthening families. Identified categories of program activities and project outcomes, and found that most projects have adopted…

The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care's (NASBHC) 2007-2008 Census is the 11th request for data from school-based health centers (SBHCs) since 1986. The Census: (1) provides a better understanding of the role of SBHCs in meeting the needs of underserved children and adolescents; (2) collects relevant trend data on demographics,…

This report describes and evaluates the community school program in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) during the period of September, 1978 through December, 1979. In addition to documenting two community schools funded by a federal grant, the report also describes three other community school programs in MDUSD funded by adult…

This special hearing, held in Portland, Oregon, addressed the concept of allowing states and local governments more flexibility in their use of federal funds designated for educational programs in exchange for increased state and local accountability. It focused on programs and policies in place or under consideration in the states of Oregon and…

The document describes a sampling of Federal resources available for improving citizen education. It was prepared to give staff members of Federal agencies an overview of educational programs dealing with citizen education and to help educators as they design and implement citizen education programs. The document is presented in two Parts. Part I…

There is growing recognition of the impact of exposure to trauma on the social and emotional development of children and adolescents, and this recognition has spurred initiatives to improve the standard of care and increase the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of child trauma. Leaders of child traumatic stress (CTS) initiatives recognize…

This report presents graphic and textual information to describe the unemployment problem among New York City's youth at risk, and to explore what might be done to alleviate the problem. Youth at risk are identified as the group of young people (aged 14 to 19) who are functionally illiterate and lack skills for employment. These young people, who…

This report of the activities of the National Advisory Council on Extension and Continuing Education during 1976 focuses on current information about (1) the nature and extent of the need for federal continuing education programs; (2) the appropriateness of the existing responses in light of the needs identified; and (3) the Council's…

The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care conducted the 2004-05 Census, the tenth count of school-based health centers (SBHCs) since 1986, to: (1) provide a better understanding of the role of SBHCs in meeting the needs of underserved children and adolescents; (2) collect up-to-date data on demographics, staffing services, operations,…

This document provides meeting highlights and a background briefing report from a policy seminar about family resource and support programs and parent education programs. At the meeting, one of a series of family impact seminars, Theodora Ooms, the moderator pointed out that a new federal program had been authorized in the previous year to…