Congress and Program Evaluation: An Overview of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Related Issues

Brass, Clinton T. ; Nuñez-Neto, Blas ; Williams, Erin D.

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

关键词: Social services;    National policy;    Educational accountability;    Evaluation research (Social action programs);    Elementary and secondary education;   

RP-ID  :  RL33301
RP-ID  :  RL33301 2006-03-07

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

This report discusses what RCTs are and identifies a number of issues regarding RCTs that might arise when Congress considers making program evaluation policy. For example, in the 109th Congress, Section 3 of S. 1934 (as introduced) would establish a priority for RCTs when evaluating offender reentry demonstration projects; Section 114 of S. 667 (Senate Finance Committee-reported bill) would require RCTs for demonstration projects for low-income families; and Section 5 of S. 1129 (as introduced) would call for RCTs for projects and policies of multilateral development banks. Issues regarding RCTs could also arise when actors in the policy process present specific program evaluations to Congress (e.g., in the President’s budget proposals) to influence Congress’s views and decision making. For many reasons, evaluations often merit scrutiny and care in interpretation.