|
|
International Policy Research
| |
|
|
| |
Mathematica's depth and breadth of experience in evaluating complex social programs in the United States fill an important gap in the international arena. Our skills in designing and conducting rigorous, evidence-based evaluations of programs and policies strengthen international health, education, and development research and evaluation. We work with governments, multilateral donors, foundations, private organizations, and nonprofit partners to help them develop indicators of program impact and measure results. Our experts conduct formative research, situation assessments, policy analysis, and program evaluations, as well as help ensure capacity development in our counterparts around the world. Read more about our evaluation capabilities and recent international work.
|
|
| |
Addressing Niger's Future Economic Growth
 A Millennium Challenge Corporation project in Niger aims to improve government accountability; register more businesses; promote land ownership; and increase girls' school enrollment, attendance, and completion rates. Read more. |
Improving Living Standards in Tanzania
 The MCA-Tanzania program, funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, aims to improve living standards and reduce poverty by investing $206 million to improve energy-related infrastructure. Mathematica's impact analysis uses survey data and experimental and quasi-experimental approaches. Read more. |
|
| |
Reports: |
|
| |
"The Effects of Habitat on Basic Infrastructure." Larissa Campuzano, Dan Levy, and Andres Zamudio, December 2007. The social program Habitat was created to overcome the challenges presented in marginalized urban areas in Mexico due to high concentrations of poverty. This paper uses census data to present the results of an impact evaluation of Habitat on basic infrastructure during the first two years of implementation. The evaluation used a quasi-experimental approach based on propensity score matching to create comparison groups similar to the intervention groups for three components: (1) access to drinking water, (2) access to sewage and drainage, and (3) access to electricity. The researchers found evidence that Habitat intervention increased access to sewage about three percentage points more in the intervention group than in similar comparison groups, but it did not have a statistically significant effect in access to drinking water or electricity.
Back to Top |
|
| |
"Evaluation of Jamaica’s PATH Program: Final Report." Dan Levy and Jim Ohls, March 2007. The government of Jamaica launched its social safety net initiative, the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), in 2001 to better target welfare benefits to the poor and to increase human capital by conditioning receipt of the benefits on requirements for school attendance and health care visits. Our study found that PATH succeeded in targeting benefits to the island’s poorest households and in encouraging households to send their children to school with greater regularity. The program also increased the use of preventive health care for children in PATH families. There was no evidence that PATH affected longer-term outcomes, such as grades, advancement to the next grade, or health care status.
Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Other: |
| |
Economic and Social Costs and Benefits to Employers of Retaining, Recruiting and Employing Disabled People and/or People with Health Conditions or an Injury: A Review of the Evidence. Edited by Karen Needels and Robert Schmitz, 2006. During the past 20 years, the United Kingdom (UK) has promoted fuller inclusion of people with disabilities into the workplace and, more broadly, into all aspects of public life. This volume identifies and synthesizes the best available evidence on the benefits and costs to UK employers of recruiting and retaining workers with disabilities. It addresses the following issues: (1) employers' understanding of disability and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), (2) costs and benefits associated with employing people with disabilities, and (3) the extent to which public policy can alter the labor market outcomes of this population. Mathematica staff authored the following chapters:
"Overview of the Legislative and Labour Market Context for Disabled Workers." Debra Brucker and Robert Schmitz. The authors summarize the DDA and describe employer responsibilities, noting that 6.9 million working-age people in the UK were disabled under the DDA definition in 2005. Of this group, about half were employed during the year, compared with 78 percent of nondisabled people. As the population ages, the number of working-age individuals with disabilities will also grow, so policies encouraging employment are important to sustain economic growth.
"Framework for Employer Decision-Making." Karen Needels. This chapter provides a theoretical context for categorizing the economic forces that determine recruiting and retention of disabled and nondisabled workers. The model makes three important points: (1) employers want to find the right workers and retain them as long as possible, since recruiting is costly, (2) it is not possible to predict a candidate's productivity with certainty, and (3) some traits related to productivity are easy to assess, but others, such as self-assurance, appearance, and demeanor, may put candidates with disabilities at a disadvantage.
"Evidence-Based Recommendations for Policy and Research." Karen Needels. This chapter synthesizes the arguments and evidence presented in the entire volume. The author notes that policies must be developed with an eye toward distinctions among employers and people with disabilities, in particular, differences between small and large employers, public and voluntary entities, and mental and physical impairments. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research.
"Guide to Employers for the Recruitment and Retention of Disabled People." Clara Williams and Craig Thornton. This appendix reviews factors and questions employers can consider in employment decisions.
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
