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Browse news articles about J-PAL and our affiliated professors, and read our press releases and monthly global and research newsletters. For media inquiries, please email us.

Improving Learning Outcomes through the Government School System in India

Researchers evaluated the impact on student learning outcomes of two programs introduced by the Government of Haryana. While the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) program did not have any effect on test scores, the Learning Enhancement Program (LEP), which focused on basic literacy and...

The Effect of Increased Autonomy vs. Performance Pay on Procurement Officers’ Performance in Pakistan

Researchers partnered with several agencies of the Government of Punjab, Pakistan, to evaluate the impact of giving procurement officers more autonomy, compared to financial rewards, on public procurement performance. Shifting authority away from supervisors and towards procurement officers improved...

Structured Teaching and Targeted Remediation to Improve Reading Skills in Ghana

Erik Andersen
Simon Graffy
Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to test the impact of a structured teaching and targeted remediation program that combined semi-scripted lesson plans, student workbooks, a smartphone coaching and tracking app, and teacher training in evidence-based instruction on first-grade reading...

Dependence Duration and Labor Market Conditions: Evidence from the United States

Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to assess the role of employer behavior in generating "negative duration dependence"—the adverse effect of longer unemployment spells—by sending fictitious resumes to real job postings in 100 U.S. cities. Callback rates declined sharply over the first...

The Role of Application Assistance and Information in College Decisions: Results from the H&R Block FAFSA Experiment

Bridget Terry Long
Lisa Sanbonmatsu
Researchers evaluated the effect of providing assistance in completing the application and personalized information regarding financial aid eligibility to low-income individuals receiving tax preparation help. The intervention increased FAFSA submissions and college enrollment, college persistence...

Scaling Evidence-Based Innovations in Education with Government Partners

Laura Poswell, Executive Director of J-PAL Africa, participated on a panel at USAID’s Global Innovation Week, a multi-day event to showcase ways USAID is partnering with others to achieve the greatest impact. The panel shared their experiences generating evidence and pathways through which their...