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The evaluation employed a quasi-experimental design to compare the outcomes of intervention participants with the outcomes of students in non-DBS-funded career training and technical education (CTE) courses. Students self-selected into DBS-funded and non-DBS-funded CTE courses at each study site. Comparison CTE courses at a given site were selected if they provided education and training on skills in comparable occupational sectors as that site's DBS-funded program, and if they served students who were expected to be demographically similar to intervention participants. Students were not further matched across intervention and comparison conditions within sites on observable characteristics.
The intervention was delivered from the spring 2013 semester through the spring 2016 semester. Participants were interviewed up to 12 months after study enrollment, and administrative data were examined up to 4 semesters (24 months) after study enrollment.
DBS and Contra Costa Community College District, with Los Medanos College as the lead agency.
The DBS intervention provided workforce development services to 2,516 students across 11 community college sites in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2013 to 2016. Intervention participants received a combination of site-specific services intended to better facilitate career pathways. Services common to all sites included enhanced student support services through case managers, basic academic skill development, student peer cohorts, and job search and placement assistance. Site-specific services varied based on the targeted job sector, as did the content of services the intervention provided. For instance, participants in DBS-funded transportation and logistics sites received boot-camp services to accelerate completion of vocational certificates in forklift operations with nontechnical training; these services helped participants build soft skills relevant to warehouse operations and project management. Similarly, participants in DBS-funded advanced manufacturing programs received more intensive training in software and machine technology. By contrast, those in colleges implementing biosciences programs received services that were more integrated with traditional coursework, including enhanced tutoring, subsidized lab equipment, and peer cohort supports.
Community college students in the non-experimental comparison group were selected based on their enrollment in qualitatively similar coursework in each of the 11 participating colleges. For instance, participants in the comparison condition from intervention sites that focused on advanced manufacturing might have self-enrolled in welding or automotive technology. Comparison group participants did not participate in the DBS-funded program at their site. A total of 1,321 students were selected for the comparison condition.
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The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration: Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training Initiative
Eleven community colleges in the Bay Area in California. Colleges included College of Alameda, Berkeley City College, Chabot College, Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, Laney College, Los Medanos College, Merrit College, Ohlone College, Solano Community College, and Las Positas College.