National opinion polls suggest that the public does not necessarily know what works for the inner city and the truly disadvantaged. In fact, we know a great deal about what is successful. How do we decide what works and doesn’t? Our criteria are based on whether there is scientific evaluation evidence and whether a policy or program reduces inequality. Based on these criteria, there are many examples of what works. Based on these examples, we have come up with some practical lessons on what works, for use by practitioners, policy makers and legislators. In terms of replicating success to a scale equal to the dimensions of the problem, we have been able to spell out a national policy based on what works, estimate the costs of what works and suggest a plan for financing a national policy based on what works. We have a plan for better communicating what works and creating the will to act so that what works can be replicated to scale. We also answer the question: what doesn’t work?

For more information on what works, contact Paul Shepard, Director for Communications and Dorothy Coleman, Director for Programs, at 202.429.0440.

| How Do We Decide What Works and What Doesn't | Examples of What Works |
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