Susan Zief has experience in experimental impact evaluations of interventions targeted at at-risk youth, as well as qualitative and quantitative descriptive studies.
Zief has directed notable studies on teen pregnancy prevention. As deputy project director, she oversees site selection for a random assignment impact evaluation of programs to support expectant and parenting teens, funded by the Pregnancy Assistance Fund. She also helps lead an evaluation of the Personal Responsibility Education Program, which provides educational programs for adolescents on teen pregnancy prevention and related topics.
Zief is also experienced in providing technical assistance and oversees development of research and review standards for descriptive qualitative and quantitative studies of the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratories. An expert in systematic reviews, she also plays a key role on the What Works Clearinghouse by reviewing and synthesizing impact evidence on beginning reading and dropout prevention interventions. She has also reviewed market-based choice plans for high school youth for Department of Education and the impact of after-school programs for the Campbell Collaboration.
Zief, who joined Mathematica in 2005, received her Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania.
New research from Mathematica demonstrates that the Washington, DC-based New Heights program offers parenting female high school students a brighter future. The program, as implemented and examined in the DC evaluation, helps these youth stay in school and achieve academic success.
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