Evidence-Based Policymaking: Targeted Evaluation

In 2014, the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative identified five key components of evidence-based policymaking: program assessment, budget development, implementation oversight, outcome monitoring, and targeted evaluation. Taking into consideration and implementing one or more of these components can help states and counties use the Results First evidence-based policymaking framework in ways that yield meaningful changes for their communities.

State and county leaders can carefully direct limited resources to rigorously assess the effectiveness of select programs—what Results First calls targeted evaluation. They can then use the information to decide when to scale up programs that work, when to scale back those that don’t, and when to improve those that show potential. Included on this page are links to briefs, fact sheets, and other resources. Along with explanatory documents, this section also includes stories about how select states and counties approach this critical component of evidence-based policymaking.

Strategy: Build internal capacity to support impact evaluations

• Washington State Data Warehouse Fosters Comprehensive, Frequent Program Evaluations
• How States Use Data to Inform Decisions: A National Review of the Use of Administrative Data to Improve State Decision-Making

Strategy: Develop partnerships with external research entities

• Wisconsin Researchers Work With State and Local Agencies to Evaluate Programs