Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs

As education leaders determine the best use of limited public and private resources, making valid causal inferences about the effects of a policy or program is crucial. To assess the causal effects of policies and programs, SRI's education researchers use randomized controlled trials whenever possible.

When real-world constraints do not allow for random-assignment designs, our researchers draw on a methodological tool kit that includes regression discontinuity and interrupted time series designs as well as matching estimators (e.g., propensity score matching and Mahalanobis matching).

Projects

teacher helps young student read a book
Evaluation of the McKnight Foundation’s Education + Learning Program

SRI is evaluating the McKnight Foundation’s effort to improve the literacy achievement of pre–K through third grade students in the Twin Cities through pathways that integrate and enhance prekindergarten through third grade literacy education.

Topics: Case Studies in Education Early Childhood Educational Impact Evaluation Extant Data Analysis Implementation Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs School Improvement School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Teacher Quality + Learning
Teacher watches her students writing
National Evaluation of Writing Project School Partnerships

The study design included a multimethod approach to documenting how the partnerships were developed and implemented in participating schools and sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning

Press Releases

virtual learning classroom
Study of Miami-Dade's Virtual Learning Lab Reveals Key Success Factors for "Blended Learning" Programs

A new SRI International report, Implementing Online Learning Labs in Schools and Districts, provides a guide for creating successful blended learning programs that can benefit many students.

Topics: Learning Technologies Policy Analysis Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs

Publications

National Evaluation of Writing Project School Partnerships - Final Report (Executive Summary)

Final report on SRI's examination of the effects of partnerships on teacher practices and student writing. The cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) included a multimethod study to document how partnerships were developed and implemented in participating schools and sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning
National Evaluation of Writing Project School Partnerships - Final Report (with Appendices)

Final report on SRI's examination of the effects of partnerships on teacher practices and student writing. The cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) included a multimethod study to document how partnerships were developed and implemented in participating schools and sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning
National Evaluation of Writing Project School Partnerships - Final Report (without Appendices)

Final report on SRI's examination of the effects of partnerships on teacher practices and student writing. The cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) included a multimethod study to document how partnerships were developed and implemented in participating schools and sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning
National Evaluation of Writing Project Professional Development: Year 4 Report

Final report on SRI's examination of changes in students’ writing proficiency, students’ writing practices, teachers’ instructional practices, and teachers’ professional communities in middle schools that have formed partnerships with Local Writing Project sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning
National Evaluation of Writing Project Professional Development: Year 3 Report

Year 2 report on SRI's examination of changes in students’ writing proficiency, students’ writing practices, teachers’ instructional practices, and teachers’ professional communities in middle schools that have formed partnerships with Local Writing Project sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning
National Evaluation of Writing Project Professional Development: Year 2 Report

Year 2 report on SRI's examination of changes in students’ writing proficiency, students’ writing practices, teachers’ instructional practices, and teachers’ professional communities in middle schools that have formed partnerships with Local Writing Project sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning
National Evaluation of Writing Project Professional Development: Year 1 Report

Year 1 report on SRI's examination of changes in students’ writing proficiency, students’ writing practices, teachers’ instructional practices, and teachers’ professional communities in middle schools that have formed partnerships with Local Writing Project sites.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation Randomized Controlled Trials + Quasi-Experimental Designs Reading, Writing + Humanities Teacher Quality + Learning

Divisions, Centers + Labs