Findings from RCT grants
Arnold Ventures’ Evidence-Based Policy team funds randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of programs across the spectrum of U.S. social policy. This page provides links to brief, plain-language summaries of the RCTs that have reported interim or final results. Each summary includes a description of the program evaluated, the study design, the effects found on the primary outcomes, an overview of study quality, and a link to the research team’s full study report. Consistent with our overall approach to evidence reporting, we seek to summarize findings in a balanced and objective manner, and note any study limitations that may reduce the reliability of the findings. We update this page as new findings are reported; for reference, a complete list of RCTs underway is linked here.
Criminal Justice & Violence Prevention
Motivational Interviewing plus Critical Time Intervention for Hospitalized Gunshot Wound Victims
Findings on criminal arrests in a randomized controlled trial.
Early Childhood
Nurse-Family Partnership Home Visitation Program
Long-term findings on maternal and child mortality in three randomized controlled trials
Employment & Training
English for Advancement (EfA) Workforce Development Program for English Language Learners
Interim impacts on earnings and employment in a large randomized controlled trial
Nevada Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) Program for Unemployment Insurance Claimants
Impacts on earnings and unemployment insurance benefits in a large randomized controlled trial
Project QUEST Occupational Training for Low-income Individuals
Long-term (nine-year) earnings impacts in the QUEST randomized controlled trial
K-12 Education
KIPP Charter Middle Schools
Long-term findings on college enrollment and persistence in a large randomized controlled trial
Minnesota Math Corps – Tutoring in Grades 4-8
Findings on student math achievement
Post-Secondary Education
Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) – Ohio replication
Impacts on degree completion by low-income community college students in a large randomized controlled trial
Communications “Nudges” to Encourage College Financial Aid Applications
Findings on college attendance of low-income and first-generation students in a large randomized controlled trial
Regulatory Policy
Federal Workplace Health and Safety Inspections
A randomized controlled trial of workplace health and safety inspections administered by federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
Substance Abuse Prevention / Treatment
PROSPER Youth Substance Abuse Prevention System
Long-term (6.5-Year) Impact on Medicaid-Covered Emergency Department Utilization