Career Beginnings Impact Evaluation
Findings from a Program for Disadvantaged High School Students
The Career Beginnings program was initiated by The Commonwealth Fund to enhance the life options of urban high school students from low-income families. The Gannett Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation were major and significant partners in the effort. Launched in 1986, Career Beginnings targeted high school juniors with average academic performance and sought to assist them enter college and upgrade their educational choices, as well as to help the non-college-bound find better jobs than they would otherwise obtain. This final report presents findings on the services provided by Career Beginnings and the short-term impacts of the program.