...Today, the social sector remains far from evidence-based. For example, much of the math and writing instruction in American schools is not supported by evidence of what works. Even in medicine, the evidence-based movement is only two decades old. (It was only in the 1960s that the U.S. government began requiring pharmaceutical companies to demonstrate “substantial evidence of effectiveness” for new drugs.) Since the 1970s, a few standout groups like MDRC have pushed for more rigorous testing of social programs. But until recently, if you ran an after-school or Head Start-type program, or a program that claimed to reduce juvenile crime or prevent teen pregnancy, you could keep turning the crank for years without having to furnish proof that you were achieving results...

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