Top 10 MDRC Publications in 2023
In 2023, MDRC posted more than 100 reports, briefs, practitioner guides, and other publications—offering evaluation results, profiles of innovative programs, and evidence-backed advice for policymakers and practitioners. Here are 10 of the most popular.
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From Degrees to Dollars: Six-Year Findings from the ASAP Ohio DemonstrationU.S. community colleges—which disproportionately serve students from low-income backgrounds—have very low graduation rates. In response, three Ohio community colleges implemented programs based on the City University of New York’s successful Accelerated Study in Associate Programs. After six years, the programs had a positive impact on graduation and earnings. |
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Testing a New Approach to Addressing Nonpayment of Child Support: Effects of the Procedural Justice-Informed Alternatives to Contempt DemonstrationThe Procedural Justice-Informed Alternatives to Contempt (PJAC) project integrated procedural justice (the idea of fairness in processes) into enforcement at six child support agencies. This report finds that the PJAC intervention did not meet its primary goals of improving payment compliance and regularity. |
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Pathways to Success: Implementation, Impact, and Cost Findings from the New York City P-TECH 9-14 Schools EvaluationThe New York City P-TECH 9-14 schools involve a partnership among a high school, a community college, and employer partners that focuses on preparing students for college and careers within six years. This first rigorous evaluation of the model found it increases the percentage of students who earn college degrees. |
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Effectiveness of Varying Intensities of Pretrial Supervision: Findings from the Pretrial Justice CollaborativeMany jurisdictions use electronic monitoring (the use of electronic devices to monitor people’s locations) and sobriety monitoring (drug and alcohol testing) as alternatives to pretrial detention. Drawing on nonexperimental analyses, this brief reports that neither form of monitoring improves court appearance rates or the avoidance of new arrests. |
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Tools for Postsecondary Schools Toolkit: Putting Evidence to Work for Student SupportThe Tools for Postsecondary Schools interactive toolkit is designed to help staff members and administrators at two- and four-year colleges use evidence-based practices to support students. It draws on over 20 years of MDRC research and technical assistance and can help practitioners at any stage in the program-development process. |
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Changing Workforce Development Systems to Improve Outcomes for Young People of ColorGeneration Work was launched in five cities to connect more young adults—especially those of color from low-income families—with meaningful employment by changing how workforce development systems prepare them for and support them in jobs. This publication previews findings from the first five years of the initiative. |
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TANF Data Collaborative Pilot Profiles: A Collection of Data Analytics Projects from State and County TANF AgenciesThe Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data Collaborative Pilot Initiative, a component of the TANF Data Innovation project, offered technical assistance and training to eight state and county TANF programs, profiled here, in the routine use of TANF and other administrative data to inform policy and practice. |
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User-Informed Principles: Developing Assessments for All Early LearnersThis document outlines design parameters for child assessment solutions that meet outstanding needs of the early childhood education field. It prioritizes the experiences, strengths, and needs of pre-K educators, families, and children whose perspectives are less often elevated in the design, creation, and validation of measurement and assessment tools. |
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Sector Strategies for Workforce Development: A Synthesis of the Research for Employers and Local GovernmentsThe CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 encourages applicants for federal funding in domestic semiconductor manufacturing to include sectoral partnerships. MDRC has conducted nearly 15 years of research on sector strategies. This paper presents recommendations drawn from evidence that employers and local governments can use to implement sector strategies well. |
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Impacts of Home Visiting During the Pandemic: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Child FirstHome visiting programs, which improve children’s development and strengthen caregivers’ and families’ well-being, faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines a program that provided psychotherapeutic, parent-child services during the pandemic and the effects of delivering those services online or in a hybrid format at that time. |