Category: Press Releases

The National Center for Educational Evaluation (NCEE) and Regional Assistance recently released “The Evaluation of Charter School Impacts” final report which was funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). In collaboration with Mathematica, Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal) conducted the first large-scale randomized trial on the effectiveness of charter schools in multiple states and economics settings. Previous studies on charter schools focused primarily on the impact of test scores and offered minimal evidence on impacts on other student outcomes. » Read more

Current trends show an increasing importance and need for comprehensive social media research. According to the World Bank, 75% of Americans are currently using the Internet.  When combined with the 64% of Americans, identified by Harris Interactive as using social media, the importance of using conducting social media research and environmental scanning is apparent. » Read more

The Maryland Department of Human Resources contracted Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Winning Fathers Demonstration Project (WFDP). The program seeks to enable participating couples to develop healthy marital relationships in their homes and communities, improve the participating couples’ abilities to resolve conflict, advance the overall well-being of the children in the household, and improve the families’ economic stability. » Read more

Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal), hosted its fourth annual NSF funded aspiring economist event. Students heard presentations from several key staff members highlighting the type of work an economist might undertake within Optimal’s four research centers: health, education, workforce development, and housing. The goal of these presentations was to explore the question of “Why Be an Economist?” in an age when economics is becoming an ever more multidisciplinary field. The students were challenged to think about the Wall Street collapse and the need for working across many fields of expertise. » Read more

Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal) recently hosted prominent government, educational, and business leaders to talk about employment options for low-skilled workers in the greater Baltimore Metropolitan area. For over two hours, Optimal researchers and Roundtable attendees shared information and stories in an effort to relay crucial information promoting workforce and economic development in the greater Baltimore area. The topics provided a wealth of information and beneficial discussions for the group’s attendees. » Read more

In recent years, Optimal Solutions Group (Optimal) has taken on critical projects at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Leveraging its innovative approaches, Optimal has a policy perspective that understands its clients’ goals and objectives while applying information technology solutions. » Read more

Optimal will welcome Calvin Johnson, Ph.D., to speak in its Brown Bag Series Wednesday, August 11, 2010. His presentation “Serving Ex-Offenders and Business Intelligence” will focus on the use of business analytics in the government. » Read more

On July 21, 2010, Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal) welcomed Dr. David Engel to participate in its Brown Bag Series. Dr. Engel, conducting his third such event with Optimal, discussed the writing and preparation elements necessary to create thorough and well-written expository documents. Dr. Engel stressed writing required a clear, unambiguous, efficient transfer of meaning, while emphasizing the paragraph as the thought unit requiring particular attention. Dr. Engel also encouraged: » Read more

On August 11, 2010, Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal) welcomed Dr. Calvin Johnson to present as part of its “Brown Bag Series.” Dr. Johnson’s presentation, entitled “Partnering to Enhance Offender Accountability,” covered: » Read more

Optimal Solutions Group, LLC (Optimal) welcomed Dr. Ernst Nilsson as part of its Brown Bag Series. Dr. Nilsson’s presentation, entitled “Benefits Realization from Large Investments in IT” addressed the following key points: » Read more