Behavioral economics - a field based in collaborations among economists and psychologists - focuses on integrating a nuanced understanding of behavior into models of decision-making. Since the mid-20th century, this growing field has produced research in numerous domains and has influenced policymaking, research, and marketing. However, little has been done to assess these contributions and review evidence of their use in the policy arena. Behavioral Economics: Policy Impact and Future Directions examines the evidence for behavioral economics and its application in six public policy domains: health, retirement benefits, climate change, social safety net benefits, climate change, education, and criminal justice. The report concludes that the principles of behavioral economics are indispensable for the design of policy and recommends integrating behavioral specialists into policy development within government units. In addition, the report calls for strengthening research methodology and identifies research priorities for building on the accomplishments of the field to date. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Development of Behavioral Economics 3 Foundational Behavioral and Economic Ideas 4 The Behavioral Economics Toolkit: Policy Levers and Intervention Strategies 5 Health 6 Retirement Benefits 7 Social Safety Net Benefits 8 Climate Change 9 Education 10 Criminal Justice System 11 Findings Across the Policy Domains 12 Conducting and Disseminating Behavioral Economics Research 13 Implementing Behavioral Economics Approaches 14 Advancing the Field of Behavioral Economics Appendix: Biographical Sketches of Committee on Future Directions for Applying Behavioral Economics to Policy

The deficiencies that many children experience from birth to school age-in health care, nutrition, emotional support, and intellectual stimulation, for example-play a major role in academic achievement gaps that persist for years, as well as in behavior and other problems. There are many intervention programs designed to strengthen families, provide disadvantaged children with the critical elements of healthy development, and prevent adverse experiences that can have lasting negative effects. In a climate of economic uncertainty and tight budgets, hard evidence not only that such interventions provide lasting benefits for children, their families, and society, but also that the benefits translate into savings that outweigh the costs is an extremely important asset in policy discussions. Convincing analysis of benefits and costs would provide a guide to the best ways to spend scarce resources for early childhood programs. Benefit-Cost Analysis for Early Childhood Interventions summarizes a workshop that was held to explore ways to strengthen benefit-cost analysis so it can be used to support effective policy decisions. This book describes the information and analysis that were presented at the workshop and the discussions that ensued. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Evaluation 3 Analyzing Costs 4 Assessing Outcomes 5 A Closer Look at the Problem of Valuation 6 Generalizability of Benefit-Cost Analyses 7 Benefit-Cost Analysis in a Policy Context References Appendix A: Glossary Appendix B: Workshop Agenda and Participants

Educators and policy makers in the United States have relied on tests to measure educational progress for more than 150 years. During the twentieth century, technical advances, such as machines for automatic scoring and computer-based scoring and reporting, have supported states in a growing reliance on standardized tests for statewide accountability. State assessment data have been cited as evidence for claims about many achievements of public education, and the tests have also been blamed for significant failings. As standards come under new scrutiny, so, too, do the assessments that measure their results. The goal for this workshop, the first of two, was to collect information and perspectives on assessment that could be of use to state officials and others as they review current assessment practices and consider improvements. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Improving Assessments - Possibilities and Questions 3 Innovative Assessment - Lessons from the Past and Present 4 Political Experiences and Considerations 5 Opportunities for Better Assessment 6 Research Needs References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Participants