How Evidence Use Differs in the U.S. and France

How Evidence Use Differs in the U.S. and France

May 19, 2016
Peter Schochet
Photo By: Dan Bocchino

Mathematica senior fellow Peter Schochet recently returned from a month in Paris, where he served as an invited professor at two major universities, SciencesPo and CREST-ENSAI. A renowned expert in experimental and nonexperimental evaluations in the areas of education, employment, and welfare, Schochet was invited to give four seminars on research and evaluation methods and his work on the large-scale evaluation of Job Corps. He also met with French government representatives at the French Ministry of Labor and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to discuss lessons learned from youth education and training programs in the U.S. and the importance of using research evidence in policymaking.

In the following video clips, Schochet reflects on his visit.

What are the differences between the U.S. and France in terms of how research evidence is used in policymaking?

How might France and other European countries catch up to the U.S.?

Where would these countries begin in terms of getting evaluations off the ground?

Were your hosts impressed by your French?

About the Author