WWC review of this study

Career Academies: Impacts on Labor Market Outcomes and Educational Attainment

Kemple, James J. (2004). MDRC. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED484616

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    1,458
     Students
    , grades
    9-12

Reviewed: July 2023



Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Reviewed: December 2022



Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Reviewed: September 2015



Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Reviewed: February 2014

At least one finding shows strong evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Access and enrollment outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Associate's degree completed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.19

0.17

Yes

 
 
3

Highest degree enrollment: Four-year college

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.26

0.25

Yes

 
 
1

Highest degree enrollment: Two-year college

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.38

0.38

Yes

 
 
0

Months enrolled in postsecondary education

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

21.30

21.70

Yes

 
 
0

Years of schooling completed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

12.60

12.70

Yes

 
 
0

Any postsecondary credential completed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.56

0.57

Yes

-1
 
 

Ever enrolled in postsecondary education

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.79

0.80

Yes

-2
 
 

Bachelor's degree completed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.16

0.18

Yes

-2
 
 

Skills training certificate or license completed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.21

0.22

Yes

-2
 
 

Highest degree enrollment: Skills training, technical or trade school

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.15

0.17

Yes

-4
 
 
Completing school outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Earned a GED

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.11

0.08

Yes

 
 
8

Earned a high school diploma or GED

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.92

0.92

Yes

 
 
3

Earned a high school diploma

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.81

0.83

Yes

-3
 
 
Labor market outcomes outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Ever employed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.99

0.97

Yes

 
 
17
 

Ever employed full time

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

0.95

0.93

Yes

 
 
11
 

Months employed

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

36.60

35.30

Yes

 
 
0

Months employed full time

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

29.50

27.50

Yes

 
 
0

Average monthly earnings

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

1145.59

1036.94

Yes

 
 
0

Average hours worked per week

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

30.00

28.10

Yes

 
 
0

Average hourly wage

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

9.19

8.72

Yes

 
 
0

Total number of jobs held

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

3.10

3.10

Yes

 
 
0

Average job duration (in months)

Career Academies vs. Business as usual

Four years post (expected) graduation

Full;
1,458 students

16.10

15.80

Yes

 
 
0


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 59%
    Male: 41%

  • Urban
  • Race
    Black
    29%
    Other or unknown
    8%
    White
    7%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    57%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    43%

Reviewed: September 2009

Meets WWC standards without reservations


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 56%
    Male: 44%
  • Race
    Black
    30%
    Native American
    7%
    White
    6%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    55%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    45%
 

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