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Madison Area Technical College recruited students with low skills who were interested in careers in the health care sector. Individuals first attended a study intake appointment, during which staff confirmed their eligibility for PCPP (based on skill level and interest). After completing a baseline information form and baseline survey and providing informed consent, people were randomly assigned to the intervention and comparison groups via an online system. A total of 499 people were randomly assigned from December 2011 to January 2014.
Random assignment took place from December 2011 to January 2014, with impacts of the PCPP intervention studied at 18 months, 3 years, and 4 years following random assignment. Future reports will examine outcomes 6 years following random assignment.
The Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education evaluation was funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in ACF, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The study sample consisted of people with low skills, as determined by test scores, past coursework, or past course performance. Most study sample members were women (84 percent) and White, not Hispanic (67 percent). Few people (3 percent) did not have a high school diploma or equivalent certificate, 44 percent had a high school diploma or equivalent certificate only, and 53 percent had at least some postsecondary education. Average annual family income was about $33,000. In the year prior to study enrollment, about one-third (36 percent) of the sample population had received benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. About three-quarters (72 percent) were working at the time of study enrollment.
Madison Area Technical College
PCPP operated from 2011 to 2014 in conjunction with this study. The program was an adaptation of other training programs offered at Madison Area Technical College before the evaluation.
People who enrolled in PCPP received accelerated instruction and academic advising by participating in one or more of three health care skills academies. Each of the academies provided basic skills remediation and occupational training along with academic advising, instructional supports, access to emergency funds for one-time expenses (such as car repairs), and continued support after program completion. The programs packaged courses to provide people with a clear path to enrollment in higher-level courses. PCPP also shortened the typical period of basic skills acquisition that was necessary for people with low skills to enter health care degree programs. Each skills academy lasted for one semester, although students were able to enroll in up to three academies for a possible total duration of 1.5 academic years.
People in the comparison group had access to all regular courses and advising offered at Madison Area Technical College but could not access PCPP skills academies or PCPP advising services.
None
Each skills academy under the PCPP lasted for one academic semester. It was possible for students to enroll in one, two, or three academies from the time of random assignment, for a total of 6 months to 1.5 years of services. Participants received follow-up support for an unspecified duration.
Madison Area Technical College, with support from the Open Society Foundations (via Abt Associates) and the Joyce Foundation
PCPP took place at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI.
Psychosocial skills, life stressors, career progress, and family structure