Almost a year ago, we published a blog on the results of an innovative experiment that estimated the impact of paving streets in Mexico on property and land values, credit or use of durable goods. Cement was good. Now the authors (Marco Gonzalez-Navarro and Climent Quintana-Domeque) are circulating a working paper on the impact of street pavement on electoral support. … [Read more...] about Cement is good (for politicians too)
Mexico
Does it matter how we compare schools?
In Mexico, over 95% of elementary schools receive annual report cards. These cards provide information on the standardized average school test scores in Math, Spanish and a rotating subject. The card also includes past performance and State and Country averages. Starting in 2009, the state and country averages were made specific to the marginality level of the locality … [Read more...] about Does it matter how we compare schools?
4 examples of strategic ignorance – Part 1
In a previous blog, we explored the positive impact of impact evaluations and impact evaluation institutional frameworks have had on policy formulation. It is hard to imagine the success of Conditional Cash Transfers, early childhood interventions, massive vaccinations or, more recently, deworming (despite the brouhaha) without the ammunition that hard evidence provided … [Read more...] about 4 examples of strategic ignorance – Part 1
The evaluation agenda in education moves ahead in Mexico
The First Workshop on Impact Evaluation in Education in Mexico just took place these past 7th, 8th and 9th of May in Mexico City. This workshop was a response to the National Institute for the Evaluation of Education, INEE's interest to start a work agenda on impact evaluation. INEE is an independent institution of the Ministry of Education and created by presidential decree … [Read more...] about The evaluation agenda in education moves ahead in Mexico
Randomizing civil service reform
If anything is clear in the development business, it is that attracting and retaining a qualified and motivated civil service is one of the hardest things to do. And the impact of not having such a work force is stunning if one believes the recent – and very illuminating and controversial – results from the paper by Tessa Bold and others on contract teachers in Kenya. Gabriel … [Read more...] about Randomizing civil service reform