Research & Resources

“Incentives and Services for College Achievement: Evidence from a Randomized Trial” Angrist, Joshua, Daniel Lang and Phillip Oreopoulos; IZA, 2007.

Description: This is a report on a randomized field experiment designed to improve academic performance among entering full-time undergraduates.  Two strategies were used. Results suggested a combination of the two strategies can have lasting affects on study skills.

“Effective College Access, Persistence, and Completion Programs, and Strategies for Underrepresented Populations: Opportunities for Scaling Up” Spradlin, Terry E., et al.; Center for Evaluation & Education Policy, 2010.

Description: This research includes a literature review of three major non-academic areas that are tied to student persistence, including financial, psychological, and institutional.  It also evaluates Indiana’s Community College system and that state's experience participating in programs like Complete College America and Achieving the Dream.  The literature review includes information about transition programs, mentoring, and learning communities.

“Paying for College Success: An Introduction to Performance-Based Scholarship Demonstration” MDRC Policy Brief, October 2009.

Description: This policy brief outlines MDRC’s evaluation of four different states implementing performance-based scholarship programs (Ohio, New York, New Mexico, California) with brief descriptions of each program’s design and intended results.

 “Rewarding Progress, Reducing Debt: Early Results from Ohio’s Performance-Based Scholarships for Low-Income Parents” Cha, Paulette and Reshma Patel; MDRC, 2010.

Description: This is an analysis of the early results of Ohio’s Performance-Based Scholarships program one year after implementation.  The analysis shows that the program had a positive impact on enrollment, credits attempted and earned, and reducing educational debt; however, the study did not find a strong impact on persistence.

"One Step Forward Initiative: “Guide to Adult Education for Work: Transforming Adult Education to Grow a Skilled Workforce” National Center on Education and the Economy, 2009.

Description: This guide outlines specific steps policymakers, program administrators, and providers can taket to transform current Adult Basic Education programs to Adult Education for Work programs.  Adult Education for Work is defined as the education and training low-skilled adults need to become prepared for post-secondary education or training, and for family-sustaining employment and career advancement.

“How I-BEST Works: Findings from a Field Study of Washington State’s Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program” Wachen, John, Davis Jenkins and Michelle Von Noy; CCRC, 2010.

Description: This report examines how I-BEST operates in Washington state, and include results of telephone interviews with I-BEST faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as observations of classes.  Includes overviews of I-BEST program characteristics and student characteristics.