Explores whether propensity score methods produce unbiased estimates of program impacts, by comparing experimental and propensity score impacts of dropout prevention programs. Finds no consistent evidence that they do--even when the data available for matching are extensive. Suggests that...

This pamphlet, prepared for the 27;28, describes the purpose of education program evaluation, defines random assignment and discusses its advantages over other approaches, and looks at other issues related to use of random assignment in scientifically based education research.

The No Child Left Behind Act called for the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a national study of the effectiveness of educational technology. The study identified reading and mathematics software products based on prior evidence of effectiveness and other criteria and used an experimental...

Describes the program, framework and design for the national evaluation, and data and methods to be used in the implementation and impact studies.