Evaluating the effectiveness of the Massachusetts workforce development system using no-shows as a nonexperimental comparison group

Eval Rev. 2006 Aug;30(4):379-429. doi: 10.1177/0193841X05282268.

Abstract

This article examines the effect of the Massachusetts workforce development system on the earnings of disadvantaged adults using nonexperimental data from the late 1990s. The authors construct a comparison sample for program participants using individuals who apply for and are offered services yet do not participate in a training program. They present a series of difference-in-difference estimates that make several alternative efforts to correct for selectivity bias, including econometric models that regression adjust for observable characteristics and fixed-effect models that adjust for time-invariant person effects. They also employ probabilistic matching techniques to more finely align the treatment and comparison samples. On average, program participants experienced 20% increases in annual earnings 1 year postintervention and 25% increases after 2 years. The authors uncover considerable heterogeneity in these effects, suggesting that the most difficult to serve and the most job ready benefit the least.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Education*
  • Employment / organization & administration*
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Massachusetts
  • Models, Econometric
  • Models, Statistical
  • Social Class