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Evidence Gap Map

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  • (-) Supports for basic needs
  • (-) Postsecondary persistence 

Back on Track - Opportunity Works

Study type
Quasi-experimental studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California,
Connecticut,
Louisiana,
Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania,
Washington
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Impacts measured

Education

  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Well-being

  • Financial capability
  • Connection to school/work
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • High school reengagement
  • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Academic supports for postsecondary success
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training for a particular industry
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy
  • Legal services

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Stipends and incentives
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Collective impact approaches
  • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement
Publications
Anderson, Theresa, Breno Braga, Teresa Derrick-Mills, Alan Dodkowitz, H. Elizabeth Peters, Charmaine Runes, and Mary Winkler. 2019. New Insights into the Back on Track Model's Effects on Opportunity Youth Outcomes: Opportunity Works Final Evaluation Report. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/95406/opportunity-works-implementation-report_0_0.pdf
Anderson, Theresa, Breno Braga, Neil Damron, Teresa Derrick-Mills, Alan Dodkowitz, Micaela Lipman, Amanda Martin-Caughey, H Elizabeth Peters, Eleanor Pratt, and Mary K Winkler. 2017. Opportunity Works Implementation Report. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/opportunity-works-implementation-report
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
JEVS E3 Center City
Congreso De Latinos Unidos' E3 Center
Northwest Education Access

Connecting to Opportunity: Lessons on Adapting Interventions for Young People Experiencing Homelessness or Systems Involvement

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
Alaska,
Arizona,
California,
Maine,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Nebraska,
New York
Population
Young people under 25
People who experience homelessness
People involved in the child welfare system
People involved in the justice system
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Education

  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 
  • Job quality

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • High school reengagement

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Academic supports for postsecondary success
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement
  • Supports to maintain employment

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Stipends and incentives
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement
Publications
Treskon, Louisa, Kyla Wasserman, and Vicky Ho. 2019. Connecting to Opportunity: Lessons on Adapting Interventions for Young People Experiencing Homelessness or Systems Involvement. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/LEAP_Final_Report_2019_3.0_FINAL.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential

Creating New Pathways to Postsecondary: Evaluation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Postsecondary Success (PSS) Initiative

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Location
California,
Georgia,
Illinois,
Massachusetts,
New York,
Ohio,
Oregon,
Pennsylvania,
Wisconsin
Population
Young people under 25

Outcomes measured

Education

  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Academic supports for postsecondary success
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Support Services

  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Integrated education and training model
Publications

Center for Youth and Communities. 2013. Creating New Pathways to Postsecondary: Evaluation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Postsecondary Success (PSS) Initiative. Waltham, MA: Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University.

https://heller.brandeis.edu/cyc/pdfs/PSSReport.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
YouthBuild USA
Larkin Street Youth Services

Evaluation of the YouthBuild Pathways/Social Innovation Fund Postsecondary Education Initiative: Final Report

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California,
Colorado,
Georgia,
Louisiana,
Maryland,
Massachusetts,
Minnesota,
New York,
Rhode Island,
Texas
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Education

  • Basic skills gains 
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 

Well-being

  • Social-emotional

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 
  • Postsecondary degree attainment 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Parenting
  • Civic engagement
  • Use of public benefits
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Support Services

  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Integrated education and training model
  • Career and technical education
Publications
Melchior, Alan, and Susan Lanspery. 2018. Evaluation of the YouthBuild Pathways/Social Innovation Fund Postsecondary Education Initiative: Final Report. Waltham, MA: The Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/evidenceexchange/2%20-%20New%20Profit%20YouthBuild%20SIF.Final%20Report%20and%20Appendices.revised%20Nov2018_V1_508_1.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
YouthBuild USA

Final Evaluation Report of Year Up's Professional Training Corps in Philadelphia

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Location
Pennsylvania
Population
Young people under 25

Outcomes measured

Education

  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 

Impacts measured

Education

  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 

Practices

Postsecondary Education

  • Academic supports for postsecondary success
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Work readiness training
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement
  • Supports for employers

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Career pathways model
  • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement
Publications
Maynard, Rebecca, Rebecca Baelen, Phomdaen Souvanna, David Fein, and Azim Shivji. 2018. Final Evaluation Report of Year Up's Professional Training Corps in Philadelphia. Boston: Abt Associates.
In Compendium
No

Los Angeles Reconnection Career Academy (LARCA)

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills 

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • High school reengagement
  • Basic education services

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training for a particular industry
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy
  • Legal services

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Career pathways model
  • Career and technical education
  • Collective impact approaches
Publications
Geckeler, Christian, Hannah Betesh, Hannah Diaz, Lea Folsom, Hui Kim, and Anne Paprocki. 2017. Helping Dropout Youth Find Education and Employment: Final Impact Evaluation of the Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy (LARCA) Program. Oakland, CA: Social Policy Research Associates. https://www.spra.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/LARCA-Final-Report-043017-508-compliant-protected.pdf
Geckeler, Christian, Hannah Betesh, Verenice Chavoya-Perez, David Mitnick, and Anne Paprocki. 2015. Reengaging Dropouts: Lessons from the Implementation of the Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy (LARCA) Program. Oakland, CA: Social Policy Research Associates. https://www.spra.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Los-Angeles-Reconnections-Career-Academy-LARCA-Interim-Implementation-Evaluation-Report.pdf
In Compendium
No

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California,
Florida,
Georgia,
Illinois,
Michigan,
Mississippi,
New Mexico,
North Carolina,
Texas,
Wisconsin
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 
  • Postsecondary degree attainment 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Parenting
  • Civic engagement
  • Connection to school/work
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications

Millenky, Megan. 2016. "Connecting High School Dropouts to Employment and Education: an Impact Study of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program." IZA Journal of Labor Policy 5, 1: 1-17.

https://izajolp.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40173-016-0065-x.pdf
Perez-Arce, Francisco, Louay Constant, David S. Loughran, and Lynn A. Karoly. 2012. A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1193.pdf
Millenky, Megan, Dan Bloom, Sara Muller-Ravett, and Joseph Broadus. 2011. Staying on Course: Three-Year Results of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/full_510.pdf
Millenky, Megan, Dan Bloom, and Colleen Dillon. 2010. Making the Transition: Interim Results of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/full_434.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

Project Rise

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
New York,
New Jersey,
Missouri
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Education

  • Basic skills gains 
  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs
  • Basic education services

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Collective impact approaches
Publications
Manno, Michelle S., Edith Yang, and Michael Bangser. 2015. Engaging Disconnected Young People in Education and Work: Findings from the Project Rise Implementation Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/2015_Engaging_Disconnected_Young_People_FR.pdf
Bangser, Michael. 2013. Reconnecting Disconnected Young Adults: The Early Experience of Project Rise. Policy Brief. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/Reconnecting_Disconnected_young_Adults_1.pdf
In Compendium
No

Study type

  • Cost studies (5)
  • Outcome studies (5)
  • Qualitative or implementation studies (8)
  • Quasi-experimental studies (1)
  • Randomized controlled trials (3)
  • Study includes subgroup analysis (6)

Practices

  • Secondary Education (9)
    • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma (6)
    • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency (9)
    • High school reengagement (3)
    • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs (4)
    • Basic education services (2)
  • Postsecondary Education (10)
    • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary (9)
    • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment (4)
    • Academic supports for postsecondary success (4)
    • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training (5)
    • Supports to pay for postsecondary education (6)
  • Job and Career Education and Training (10)
    • Career exploration and career counseling (8)
    • Work readiness training (6)
    • Pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training for a particular industry (2)
    • Temporary and transitional work experiences (7)
  • Employment Placement and Supports (6)
    • Job placement (6)
    • Supports to maintain employment (1)
    • Supports for employers (1)
  • Support Services (8)
    • Mental and behavioral health supports (6)
    • (-) Supports for basic needs (8)
    • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports (4)
    • Post-program supports (5)
    • Life skills and financial literacy (7)
    • Legal services (2)
  • Youth Development and Engagement Approaches (10)
    • Youth leadership and civic engagement (6)
    • Stipends and incentives (6)
    • Cohort model (7)
    • Connections to a caring adult   (8)
  • Other Implementation Practices (7)
    • Integrated education and training model (2)
    • Career pathways model (2)
    • Career and technical education (2)
    • Collective impact approaches (3)
    • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement (3)

Impacts and Outcomes Measured

  • Education (29)
    • Basic skills gains  (8)
    • Engagement in secondary education (14)
    • High school completion (diploma or equivalent)  (23)
    • Postsecondary enrollment  (21)
    • (-) Postsecondary persistence  (8)
    • Postsecondary degree attainment  (4)
  • Employment (30)
    • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates  (12)
    • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills  (8)
    • Employment placement/attainment  (28)
    • Employment retention  or advancement (15)
    • Earnings  (22)
    • Job quality (4)
  • Well-being (23)
    • Health (9)
    • Social-emotional (14)
    • Housing status and stability (10)
    • Parenting (7)
    • Civic engagement (4)
    • Financial capability (8)
    • Connection to school/work (6)
    • Use of public benefits (7)
    • Justice system involvement (14)

Population

  • Young people under 25 (8)
  • Young people without a high school credential (6)
  • People who experience homelessness (1)
  • People involved in the child welfare system (1)
  • People involved in the justice system (1)

In compendium

  • Yes (5)
  • No (3)

Location

  • Alaska (1)
  • Arizona (1)
  • California (6)
  • Colorado (1)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Florida (1)
  • Georgia (3)
  • Illinois (2)
  • Louisiana (2)
  • Maine (1)
  • Maryland (1)
  • Massachusetts (3)
  • Michigan (2)
  • Minnesota (2)
  • Mississippi (1)
  • Missouri (1)
  • Nebraska (1)
  • New Jersey (1)
  • New Mexico (1)
  • New York (4)
  • North Carolina (1)
  • Ohio (1)
  • Oregon (1)
  • Pennsylvania (3)
  • Rhode Island (1)
  • Texas (2)
  • Washington (1)
  • Wisconsin (2)

 

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