Process and Net Impact Evaluations of the Focus: HOPE Adult Training Programs and Student Loan Fund

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Focus: HOPE provides valuable, practical occupational training in machinist or information technology (IT) occupations to young people who face barriers to the development of viable careers through postsecondary education and training because of low-income, basic skills deficiencies, incarceration, or parenting responsibilities. This report documents a study of the adult training programs provided by Focus: HOPE. Essentially two major strands of research comprise the study. The first strand is a study of the student loan fund that is used as a financing mechanism for students who enroll in the Machinist Training Institute (MTI) or Information Technologies Center (ITC). The second strand is a net impact evaluation of the training provided by these two entities. Note that the study omits from its purview training provided by the Center for Advanced Technologies, in which students continue their training beyond the MTI or ITC to pursue a formal associates or baccalaureate program. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ford Foundation for this study. Furthermore, the study has benefited greatly from the full support of Focus: HOPE. All of the staff persons with whom we have interacted have been helpful. In particular, Mr. Ken Kudek has invested considerable time and effort into providing us access to data and in all other aspects of monitoring our research. Mr. Marcus Clarke has also been very supportive. Mr. Kudek has convened a technical advisory panel that has met via teleconference on a regular basis. Our study has benefited considerably from suggestions received from this panel. I would like to thank the staff of Wayne State University's Center for Urban Studies for their capable assistance in conducting the sample surveys described herein. Finally, the author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of staff members of the W.E. Upjohn Institute. Mr. Jason Preuss has ably undertaken the data base development and analyses tasks. Ms. Claire Black and Ms. Sue Berkebile have provided expert clerical assistance in all aspects of the study. The usual disclaimers apply: the conclusions and recommendations do not necessarily represent those of the W.