Child Policy

RAND Child Policy serves as a gateway to RAND research on children's issues from prenatal to age 18, and provides easy access to objective information that will help improve policy and decisionmaking. RAND research on child policy is conducted by multiple research divisions, and draws upon the expertise of over 140 researchers and consultants.

Child Policy research is organized by topic area, including research projects and publications. We deliver up-to-date research findings on children's issues to those who need it at the local, state, and national level. In addition, we offer a monthly email announcement of new RAND publications and projects, as well as a quarterly newsletter for Congressional staff.

We also operate the Promising Practices Network (PPN) on Children, Families and Communities to provide easy-to-understand information on what works to improve outcomes for children and their families.

More »Featured Research

Ending Social Promotion Without Leaving Children Behind: The Case of New York City — Oct. 15, 2009

The New York City Department of Education's test-based promotion and retention policy, which identifies and provides support for struggling students, has demonstrated positive effects for student achievement in fifth grade that continue into seventh grade.

Full Document News Release Research Brief Related Report Related Report Congressional Briefing

Major Health Care Challenges Persist for D.C. Children Despite High Rates of Insurance Coverage — Oct. 8, 2009

Despite high rates of health insurance coverage among children in the District of Columbia, their access to health care is inadequate and poses a significant health problem—particularly for those who are publicly insured.

Full Document News Release

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Community-Based Project Aims to Build a Model Maternal and Child Health Care System — Sep. 25, 2009

The Allegheny County Maternal Depression and Child Health Care Initiative will promote healthy lifestyles and positive health outcomes, reduce preventable disease and environmental health risks, eliminate health disparities, and ensure access to quality care for young children, mothers, and families.

November 6, 2009: Independent Schools Adopted New Curricula and Teaching Methods Early in Qatar's Education Reform

October 15, 2009: New York City's School Promotion and Retention Policy Shows Positive Results for Students

October 8, 2009: Major Health Care Challenges Persist for D.C. Children Despite High Rates of Health Insurance Coverage

July 16, 2009: RAND Gulf States to Conduct Further Study of New Orleans Residents Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

July 14, 2009: Alabama's Challenge: Better Prepared Workforce, By Melissa Flournoy (Montgomery Advertiser)

View All »Featured Reports

Preschool Adequacy and Efficiency in California:
Issues, Policy Options, and Recommendations

Cover: Preschool Adequacy and Efficiency in California

The California Preschool Study examined gaps in school readiness and achievement in the early grades among California children and the potential for high-quality preschool to close those gaps, the use of early care and education (ECE) services and their quality, and the system of publicly funded ECE programs for three- and four-year-olds. This analysis integrates the results from the prior studies and makes recommendations for preschool policy.

Full Document

Support for Students Exposed to Trauma:
The SSET Program

Cover: Support for Students Exposed to Trauma

Exposure to violence adversely affects many children in American communities. The Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) program is a series of ten teacher- or school counselor-led lessons aimed at reducing distress for middle school students who have been exposed to a traumatic life event. The program includes skill-building techniques geared toward changing maladaptive thoughts and promoting positive behaviors.

Full Document

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