Recent Publication Releases, Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

The Quantum Opportunity Program Demonstration: Initial Post-Intervention Impacts
This report is the second in a series of three impact reports of a youth mentoring/drop-out prevention program demonstration for youth at risk of entering the workforce without the technical and work-readiness skills that are demanded by the business community of their entry-level employees. The primary goals of the demonstration were to increase the high school graduation rate and the rate at which youth enroll in postsecondary education or training. Eligible youth could participate in the program for up to five years, were matched with a youth mentor, and could engage in a range of extracurricular educational and recreational activities.

The latest findings reveal that participation in the program did not increase the likelihood of completing high school with either a diploma or a General Equivalency Degree. On the other hand, the Quantum Opportunity Program (QOP) significantly increased the likelihood of ever engaging in postsecondary education or training. In particular, younger youth who participated in QOP significantly increased their likelihood of attending postsecondary education or training, a finding that was largely attributable to increased college attendance. Youth who did not participate in QOP were more likely to have a job and work at least 35 hours per week, reflecting the fact that QOP youth were more likely to be enrolled in college or engaged in some other postsecondary education or training activity.

The third and final report in this series will include impacts approximately five years after youth were scheduled to complete high school, and should be available in early 2006.

Business as Partner and Customer under WIA: A Study of Innovative Practices
This report documents observations and findings from the Evaluation of the Implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), including efforts to better engage employers in all aspects of workforce development. It outlines several local areas' efforts to more effectively meet the employment-related needs of both job seekers and businesses by making the business community the One-Stop system's primary customer.

Key practices that effectively involve businesses in all aspects of One-Stop operations through partnerships and the use of business services, including innovative new partnerships with Chambers of Commerce and economic development agencies, are highlighted as are examples of effective practices for recruiting and retaining active and able business members on their Workforce Investment Boards. The paper also describes crucial elements for forging successful business partnerships, practices for providing high-quality business services, strategies to ensure that business involvement is successful overall, and, finally, suggestions from local sites for changing the Workforce Investment Act and related workforce development programs.

This is a companion to ETA Occasional Paper 2004-05: The Workforce Investment Act After Five Years: Results from the National Evaluation of the Implementation of WIA, which describes the workforce investment system's progress and challenges in streamlining services through increased integration, universal access, individual empowerment via personal choice, state and local flexibility, performance accountability, engagement of the private sector and improvement of youth programs.

The Workforce Investment Act after Five Years: Results from the National Evaluation of the Implementation of WIA
This paper presents observations and findings from the Evaluation of the Implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). It describes the workforce investment system's progress and challenges in streamlining services through increased integration, universal access, individual empowerment via personal choice, state and local flexibility, performance accountability, engagement of the private sector and improvement of youth programs. It also captures information on a range of additional topics, including: WIA governance structures, partnership development and services to special populations, specifically, migrant farmworkers, the homeless, and limited-English speakers.

The challenge of developing information systems for managing multiple programs and conducting monitoring and oversight of those programs is described in detail with suggestions for program administration. Outcome data for those served under the Job Training Partnership Act are compared to outcome data for those served by the revised programs under the Workforce Investment Act, with participant characteristics and services summarized and analyzed. The report highlights the monumental achievements that resulted in a "nationwide network of physical access points but also remote access to a wide array of workforce-related resources and tools." Finally, it includes an assessment of the changes proposed by the Administration for consideration during WIA reauthorization discussions and correlates these proposed changes to the ongoing challenges faced by local areas.

This paper is the companion to ETA Occasional Paper 2004-06: Business as Partner and Customer under WIA: A Study of Innovative Practices, which describes efforts to better engage employers in all aspects of workforce development and is another in the ETA Occasional Paper series.

What Can We Expect Under Personal Reemployment Accounts? Predictions and Procedures
On January 7, 2003, President Bush unveiled his economic stimulus plan, which included the proposed establishment of Personal Reemployment Accounts (PRAs). The goal of PRAs is to provide unemployed workers who are likely to exhaust their unemployment insurance (UI) benefits with additional assistance and incentives to help them get back to work sooner. This study addresses important questions and issues to consider for implementing Personal Reemployment Account (PRAs). As a result, it can serve as a useful tool for ETA staff and state and local administrators. This study draws on research from a variety of sources to address issues related to implementation of the proposed PRAs. It addresses three broad questions about PRAs: (1) What are the likely impacts of the reemployment bonus feature of the PRAs on the recipients?; (2) How could states and local areas set the amount and decide who would receive an offer?; and (3) What procedures could local areas use to offer the PRAs and manage and monitor the use of the accounts?
Final Report PDF Format

The Workforce Investment Act in Eight States: State Case Studies from a Field Network Evaluation: Volume Two
This second volume of a two-volume set of state case studies is the result of eighteen months of work by the project’s researchers to understand how states and localities interpreted and operationalized the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. The project took a close look at the orientation, governance, structure, and services of the workforce investment systems in eight states, and two local areas in each state, to provide information for the reauthorization of WIA. Field researchers in each state conducted a series of interviews with members of state and local boards and their staff, state and local elected officials and their staff, state agency officials responsible for workforce development and welfare programs, service providers, advocates, and other interested parties. Researchers also studied sample One-Stop Career Centers in each state. The case studies for four states – Florida, Indiana, Texas and Utah – are included in this volume.

Title and Content Page	Preface Page: How to Use This Volume
Chapter One: Methodology and Case Study Summaries	Chapter Two: Florida Case Study
Chapter Three: Indiana Case Study	Chapter Four: Texas Case Study
Chapter Five: Utah Case Study	Appendix I

The Workforce Investment Act in Eight States: State Case Studies from a Field Network Evaluation: Volume One
This first volume of a two-volume set of state case studies is the result of eighteen months of work by the project’s researchers to understand how states and localities interpreted and operationalized the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. The project took a close look at the orientation, governance, structure, and services of the workforce investment systems in eight states, and two local areas in each state, to provide information for the reauthorization of WIA. Field researchers in each state conducted a series of interviews with members of state and local boards and their staff, state and local elected officials and their staff, state agency officials responsible for workforce development and welfare programs, service providers, advocates, and other interested parties. Researchers also studied sample One-Stop Career Centers in each state. The case studies for four states – Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, and Oregon – are included in this volume.

Title and Content Page	Preface Page: How to Use This Volume
Chapter One: Methodology and Case Study Summaries	Chapter Two: Maryland Case Study
Chapter Three: Michigan Case Study	Chapter Four: Missouri Case Study
Chapter Five: Oregon Case Study	Appendix I

Internet Initial Claims Evaluation
Over the past five years, 33 State Workforce Agencies have implemented systems which allow unemployed workers to file their initial unemployment insurance claim over the internet. In addition to providing unemployed workers with extended hours of access, these systems have reduced administrative costs and provided a more convenient service method for unemployed workers to file an unemployment insurance initial claim. Policymakers chose to evaluate state Internet UI claim filing systems, with a focus on service delivery, security, fraud and abuse controls, and cost effectiveness.
Final Report Executive Summary PDF Format

Creating Partnerships for Workforce Investment: How Services Are Provided Under WIA
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 was the first major overhaul of the nation's workforce development system in more than 15 years. Among other things, the legislation expanded opportunity for public and private entities to deliver employment and training services through the public workforce investment system. This study explores local workforce investment system variation and how local boards use non-profit, for-profit, educational, and governmental agencies to deliver WIA services. Study findings are based on case studies of sixteen local boards across eight states conducted between December 2001 and September 2002.
Final Report Final Report Appendices Executive Summary PDF Format

Exemplary Practices in High-Skill-U.S. Department of Labor H-1B Training Programs
A major provision of the Competitive and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 was funding for demonstration programs and projects that provide technical skills training for U.S. workers in an attempt to increase the pool of Americans with the skills necessary to fill high-tech jobs. This report provides an assessment of six of the 43 projects funded in the first three rounds of competition awarded in 2000.
Full Report Executive Summary PDF Format

A Compilation of Selected Papers from the Employment and Training Administration’s 2003 Biennial National Research Conference
This book contains selected papers from the 2003 Biennial Research Conference held in Washington, DC, in early June, 2003. The papers cover a wide range of topics from front-line decision support and worker profiling to faith-based services and workforce investment programs for former welfare recipients.
Full Report PDF Format

The Quantum Opportunity Program Demonstration: Implementation and Short-Term Impact Reports (2003)
These reports document the implementation challenges sites experienced in operating the Quantum Opportunity Program and also reveal the short-term impacts on the primary goals of increasing high school completion and enrollment in post-secondary education or training.
Abstract and Questions & Answers

Implementation Findings: Full Report Executive Summary PDF Format

Short-Term Impacts: Full Report Executive Summary

Implementation and Short-Term Impacts: Full Report Executive Summary

Working with Disadvantaged Youth: Thirty Month Findings from the Center for Employment Training Replication Sites
In the early 1990s, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provided funds for the Center for Employment Training (CET) to provide technical assistance to other organizations interested in replicating the CET model. This study examines the experiences of youth in twelve CET sites: six in eastern states and the Midwest begun as part of the DOL-sponsored replication effort and six western programs operated as part of CET’s service network. This report summarizes the implementation findings and presents initial impact findings based on a random assignment research design and a survey conducted 30 months after application to CET.
Full Report Executive Summary PDF Format

The Workforce Investment Act in Eight States: Overview of Findings from a Field Network Study
This interim evaluation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 examines the national goals, roles of federal, state and local partners and implementation of the law in eight states - Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Utah. Its purpose is to provide well-timed information to the U.S. Department of Labor and other public agencies, organizations and experts on what is happening now in the administration and delivery of publicly-funded workforce development services. The evaluation project is under the direction of Richard P. Nathan, Director of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The principal authors of the report are Burt S. Barnow and Christopher T. King. The report contains a condensed analysis of extensive field research that looks across the eight study states and examines how public policy was carried out. Later, findings from the state reports will be published along with a full and detailed crosscutting comparative analysis.
Full Report PDF Format

Profiling UI Claimants to Allocate Reemployment Services: Evidence and Recommendations for States
This report develops and applies a state of the art methodology for constructing or modifying statistical profiling models for the allocation of reemployment services that states can apply to their own data. This report also provides substantive guidance on model development and modification to states based on our analysis of UI data form the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Full Report Executive Summary PDF Format

Unemployment Insurance Non-Monetary policies and Practices: How Do They Affect Program Participation? A Study of 8 States
This report explores the relationship between non-monetary eligibility policies and practices and program outcomes, such as recipiency and benefit duration. Information is collected on state non-monetary eligibility legislation, policies, and practices for unemployment insurance (UI) programs in a sample of states to document across-state variation that may affect UI recipiency. Research indicates that much of the state-level variation is due to policies, practices, and processes that are not easily captured by administrative data. Thus, many of the questions explored during site visits to eight states focus on how UI operates at the ground level and how variation in UI operations helps explain some of the variation in program outcomes across states.
Full Report Executive Summary PDF Format

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