PADP4200: Program Evaluation
Time:
Spring 2016
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2.00-3.15
Place:
Professor:
MLC 350
Molly Candon
Department of Public Administration and Policy
School of Public and International Affairs
mkcandon@uga.edu
201D Baldwin Hall
Email:
Office:
Office hours are Tuesdays (10.00-12.00), Wednesdays (11.00-12.00), and by appointment.
The syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary and will be
announced in advance. There is no formal attendance policy. There are no pre-requisites.
The last day to withdraw is March 22 at midnight.
Course Description
This course has two aims: 1) to give students a broad training in the policy
evaluation concepts and methods; and 2) to provide students with the tools
needed to apply quantitative techniques to the assessment of policy decisions.
Course Objectives
1. Understanding the core principles of cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness, and what implications this framework has for assessing the impact of public policies;
2. Learning the main statistical techniques used to quantitatively evaluate public policies;
3. Being able to critically read and evaluate policy analysis research published in the
academic literature; and
4. Discussing methodological and conceptual debates in the field of program evaluation.
Course Materials
We will primarily use the World Bank’s Impact Evaluation in Practice, which is
available online. Some academic papers will be assigned and provided by the
professor. A non-graphing calculator can be used at any time. Laptops, tablets,
and phones are not allowed out during class.
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Course Requirements
In addition to two exams, students are required to complete four memorandums
and a final report using quantitative methods. Information on assignments will
be provided separately.
Grading Policy
Exam 1: 20%
Exam 2: 30%
Memorandums: 20%
Final Report: 20%
Participation: 10%
The professor reserves the right to determine letter grade cutoffs. Grading concerns must be presented in writing within one week of receiving said grade.
Exams Make-ups
Exam make-ups will be given at my discretion upon proper documentation of
an appropriate, extenuating circumstance. Appropriate means family emergency
or severe illness. If you know now that you will not be able to take exams at
their scheduled times, you should drop this course. UGA’s Final Exam Schedule
Conflicts policy permits students with two final exams at the same time or three
final exams on the same day to re-schedule. Petition procedures and forms can
be found at http://bulletin.uga.edu/bulletin/acad/Examinations.html.
University Honor Code & Academic Honesty Policy
As a student at the University of Georgia, you have agreed to abide by the
University’s academic honesty policy, “A Culture of Honesty,” and the Student
Honor Code. All academic work must meet the standards described in “A Culture
of Honesty” found at www.uga.edu/honesty. Lack of knowledge of the academic
honesty policy does not excuse a violation. Questions related to the academic
honesty policy should be directed to the instructor.
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Weekly Schedule
January 12: Introduction (1, 2)
January 19: Evaluation Design (10, 11, 12)
January 26: Cost-Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
February 2: Causality versus Correlation (3)
February 9: Regression Analysis
February 16: Randomization and Natural Experiments (4)
February 23: Application: The ACA and ARRA
March 1: Exam 1
March 15: Regression Discontinuity (5)
March 22: Difference-in-Differences (6)
March 29: Propensity Score Matching (7)
April 5: Endogeneity and Omitted Variable Bias
April 12: Producing Reports (13)
April 19: Application: Minimum Wage and Public Education
April 26: Review
May 10, 3.30-6.30PM: Exam 2
Assignment Due Dates
February 2: Memo 1
February 23: Memo 2
March 29: Memo 3
April 19: Memo 4
April 28: Final Project
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