ABSTRACT
This chapter draws upon some key issues using Closing the Gap (CtG) as a vehicle to highlight several more general points regarding the role of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in educational research. The basic logic of the RCT is compelling and illustrates why they are necessary when attempting to understand the effectiveness of educational interventions. The emphasis of Disadvantaged Children and Youth Programme was on encouraging a shift towards early intervention and prevention by funding a relatively large number of NGOs and community-based organisations to develop and deliver evidence-based interventions. One of the requirements of the funding was that the interventions needed to be evaluated through the use of an RCT so that, over time, the Disadvantaged Children and Youth Programme would contribute to the development of a robust evidence base to inform future efforts and investments. The chapter states that CtG has been an important programme nationally.
