John Deke

John Deke has experience in the design and analysis of data from rigorous evaluations based on diverse designs, including random assignment, regression discontinuity, and propensity score matching.

Some recent examples of Deke’s work include a clustered randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating mandatory random student drug testing, a clustered RCT evaluating four supplemental reading comprehension curricula, and an evaluation of supplemental educational services based on a regression discontinuity design (RDD). Deke has also contributed to the development of evidence standards for the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), including attrition standard for RCTs and standards for RDDs. He currently leads the WWC Statistical and Technical Analysis Team responsible for refining WWC evidence standards. Deke has directed two methodological studies to provide analytic and technical support to the Regional Education Laboratories. The first examined the statistical precision gains from adjusting for different types of pre-test measures in clustered RCTs in education. The second study examined the potential for control-group contamination in RCTs that rely on within-school, as opposed to between-school, random assignment.

Deke holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.