WWC review of this study

Bridging the School-to-Work Divide: Interim Implementation and Impact Findings from New York City's P-TECH 9-14 Schools

Rosen, Rachel; Byndloss, D. Crystal; Parise, Leigh; Alterman, Emma; Dixon, Michelle (2020). MDRC. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED605308

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    1,203
     Students
    , grades
    9-PS

Reviewed: October 2023

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

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,203 students

58.40

50.60

Yes

 
 
8
 

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,203 students

47.60

40.80

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
3,161 students

8.20

1.40

No

--

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,164 students

42.00

25.20

Yes

 
 
18

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,164 students

42.70

40.00

No

--

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
3,161 students

34.40

31.50

No

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

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,203 students

4.40

4.00

Yes

 
 
5
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Cumulative number of English Language Arts Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,164 students

0.80

0.30

Yes

 
 
31

Cumulative number of English Language Arts Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
3,161 students

0.20

0.00

Yes

 
 
25

Cumulative number of English Language Arts Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,203 students

1.10

0.70

Yes

 
 
24

Cumulative number of Math Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,203 students

1.30

1.10

Yes

 
 
9

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
3,161 students

1.30

1.10

No

--

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,164 students

3.00

2.70

Yes

 
 
7

Cumulative number of Math Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
3,161 students

0.60

0.50

No

--

Cumulative number of Math Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,164 students

0.90

0.90

No

--
Progressing in school (secondary school) outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Cumulative total credits earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,155 students

33.60

31.60

Yes

 
 
5
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Cumulative career and technical education (CTE) and other credits earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,054 students

5.00

2.70

Yes

 
 
28

Cumulative career and technical education (CTE) and other credits earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,155 students

7.30

4.40

Yes

 
 
24

Cumulative career and technical education (CTE) and other credits earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
2,952 students

2.50

1.40

Yes

 
 
23

Cumulative total credits earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,054 students

22.80

21.40

Yes

 
 
5

Cumulative total credits earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
2,952 students

11.70

11.20

No

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

Attendance rate

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Year 3 Sample;
1,135 students

70.60

66.80

Yes

 
 
5
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Attendance rate

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-1 Years

Year 2 Sample;
2,027 students

74.30

71.20

Yes

 
 
5

Attendance rate

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

-2 Years

Year 1 Sample;
2,929 students

78.50

76.60

No

--


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.


  • 11% English language learners

  • Female: 47%
    Male: 53%

  • Urban
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
    • H
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • P
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • Q
    • R
    • S
    • V
    • U
    • T
    • W
    • X
    • Z
    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
    • f
    • c
    • g
    • j
    • k
    • l
    • m
    • n
    • o
    • p
    • q
    • r
    • s
    • t
    • u
    • x
    • w
    • y

    New York
  • Race
    Asian
    7%
    Black
    42%
    Other or unknown
    48%
    White
    3%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    47%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    53%
  • Eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch
    Other or unknown    
    100%

Setting

The study took place in New York City public schools among students who applied for admission to at least one of seven P-TECH 9-14 schools.

Study sample

Students in the sample were followed for up to three years during their first, second, and third years of high school. The Year 3 sample – when students were in their third year of high school – includes 1,203 students. Among these students, 42 percent were Black, three percent were White, seven percent were Asian, and 48 percent did not report race. Eleven percent of students were English learners, 47 percent were female, and 47 percent were Hispanic.

Intervention Group

P-TECH 9-14 schools partner with local community colleges to provide students with an opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, free of cost. During the six-year program, employers who are partners support P-TECH 9-14 schools by providing students with internships, mentoring, job shadowing, and other work-based learning experiences.

Comparison Group

Students in the comparison group applied to one of the P-TECH 9-14 schools, but were not selected for admission and, instead, enrolled in one of 399 other high schools across New York City. One hundred of these schools were either dedicated career and technical education (CTE) high schools or academic high schools with some CTE programming available. Thirty-eight percent of comparison group students were enrolled in dedicated CTE high schools or schools that offered some CTE programming; the rest of the comparison group students attended other academic high schools.

Support for implementation

Each P-TECH 9-14 school relies on a partnership between the high school, college partner, and employer partners. In New York City, the P-TECH 9-14 school development process is co-led by CUNY’s Early College Initiative (ECI) and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Readiness (OPSR). These organizations collaborate to identify employer partners and provide support for and oversight of the P-TECH 9-14 model implementation. More specifically, during the startup of a school, ECI and OPSR provide analysis of labor market trends to identify potential career pathways, map out necessary skills, and contact and convene partners. After startup, P-TECH 9-14 schools meet regularly with ECI and OPSR staff, who conduct professional development activities for school staff members, participate in steering committees made up of representatives from each partner organization, and convene P-TECH 9-14 school principals at least twice a year.

Reviewed: April 2021

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

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,203 students

58.40

50.60

Yes

 
 
8
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,161 students

8.20

1.40

No

--

Cumulative number of English Language Arts Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,164 students

0.80

0.30

Yes

 
 
31

Cumulative number of English Language Arts Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,161 students

0.20

0.00

Yes

 
 
25

Cumulative number of English Language Arts Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,203 students

1.10

0.70

Yes

 
 
24

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,203 students

45.00

23.30

Yes

 
 
23

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,164 students

42.00

25.20

Yes

 
 
18

Passed ELA Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,203 students

12.10

-0.50

Yes

--
General Mathematics Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,203 students

47.60

40.80

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,203 students

24.20

17.30

No

--

Cumulative number of Math Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,203 students

1.30

1.10

Yes

 
 
9

Cumulative number of Math Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,161 students

0.60

0.50

No

--

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,203 students

37.10

31.40

No

--

Cumulative number of Math Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,164 students

0.90

0.90

No

--

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,161 students

34.40

31.50

No

--

Passed math Regents exam to The City University of New York admissions standard

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,164 students

42.70

40.00

No

--
Progressing in secondary school or adult education outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Cumulative Total Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,155 students

33.60

31.60

Yes

 
 
5
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Cumulative CTE/Other Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,155 students

5.30

2.80

Yes

 
 
34

Cumulative CTE/Other Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,054 students

5.00

2.70

Yes

 
 
33

Cumulative CTE/Other Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,155 students

2.90

1.40

Yes

 
 
33

Cumulative CTE/Other Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
2,952 students

2.50

1.40

Yes

 
 
27

Cumulative CTE/Other Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,155 students

7.30

4.40

Yes

 
 
27

Cumulative Total Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,155 students

23.60

21.60

Yes

 
 
8

Cumulative Total Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,054 students

22.80

21.40

Yes

 
 
6

Cumulative Total Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,155 students

12.00

11.30

Yes

 
 
6

Cumulative Total Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
2,952 students

11.70

11.20

No

--

Cumulative Academic Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,155 students

16.20

16.60

No

--

Cumulative Academic Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,155 students

23.20

24.00

No

--

Cumulative Academic Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,054 students

15.80

16.50

No

--

Cumulative Academic Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
2,952 students

8.10

8.60

No

--

Cumulative Academic Credits Earned

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,155 students

8.00

8.70

No

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

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,203 students

4.40

4.00

Yes

 
 
6
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,203 students

1.40

1.00

Yes

 
 
15

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,203 students

3.10

2.50

Yes

 
 
11

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,164 students

3.00

2.70

Yes

 
 
7

Cumulative number of New York State Regents Exams passed with a score of 65 or higher

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,161 students

1.30

1.10

No

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

Attendance (out of 180 days)

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
1,135 students

70.60

66.80

Yes

 
 
5
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Attendance (out of 180 days)

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Stable sample;
1,135 students

75.40

71.00

Yes

 
 
6

Attendance (out of 180 days)

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample;
2,027 students

74.30

71.20

Yes

 
 
4

Attendance (out of 180 days)

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
2,929 students

78.50

76.60

No

--

Attendance (out of 180 days)

P-TECH 9-14 vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Stable sample;
1,135 students

79.80

77.80

No

--


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.


  • 11% English language learners

  • Female: 37%
    Male: 63%

  • Urban
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
    • H
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • P
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • Q
    • R
    • S
    • V
    • U
    • T
    • W
    • X
    • Z
    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
    • f
    • c
    • g
    • j
    • k
    • l
    • m
    • n
    • o
    • p
    • q
    • r
    • s
    • t
    • u
    • x
    • w
    • y

    New York
  • Race
    Asian
    7%
    Black
    45%
    Other or unknown
    45%
    White
    3%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    43%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    57%

Setting

The study was conducted in New York City public schools. Students in the intervention group enrolled in one of seven P-TECH 9-14 high schools. Students in the comparison group enrolled in one of 399 other New York City high schools.

Study sample

The students in the sample were 45% Black, 7% Asian, 3% white, 43% Hispanic, and 2% of another race or ethnicity. Thirty-seven percent were female. More than 70% scored below proficient in both math and English language arts prior to entering high school as measured by state exams. Eleven percent were classified as English learners before high school. Students in both the intervention and comparison group applied to a P-TECH 9-14 school and were entered into a lottery for admission.

Intervention Group

The P-TECH 9-14 school model brings together a high school, local community college, and employer partner(s) to prepare students for college and a career in a specific career pathway. It is a whole school model that begins in grade 9. Over six years, students participate in accelerated high school coursework; work-based learning activities, which include job shadowing and paid internships; and college preparation activities, including the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits. All schools focus on career and technical education programs. College coursework offered in each school is designed to complement the career and technical education coursework.

Comparison Group

Students in the comparison group attended one of 399 other high schools in New York City, which encompasses nearly all non-P-TECH 9-14 high schools in the city. One hundred of the schools attended by students in the comparison group offered CTE programming or were dedicated CTE high schools. Approximately 26 percent of students in the comparison group attended a school that offered dual-enrollment or dual-credit.

Support for implementation

The P-TECH 9-14 school development process is led by the City University of New York's Early College Initiative (ECI) and the New York City Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Readiness (OPSR). These organizations also help schools identify employer partners and provide support and oversight for implementation. ECI and OPSR staff conduct professional development for P-TECH 9-14 school staff, participate in school steering committees, and bring together school principals at least twice per year. In addition, each P-TECH 9-14 school has a college partner and one or more employer partners. These partners help to monitor implementation and participate in steering committee meetings.

 

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