The problem, Greenstone continues, is that the government simply doesn't have good data on what works and what doesn't. But there's a solution. "We should take one-half of 1 percent of funding for every program and use it for evaluation," he says.

For the federal government, it's the equivalent of stepping on the scale everyday. And if you'd resolved to lose weight and get fit, isn't that how you'd start? (Washington Post)