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The Role of Postsecondary Education in Welfare Reform

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Hollenbeck

    (W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

  • Jean Kimmel

    (Western Michigan University)

Abstract

The 1996 federal welfare reform legislation encourages quick employment over education and training for the nation’s welfare recipients. However, some argue that a one-size-fits-all approach ignores the heterogeneity of this population. This article presents findings from a net impact evaluation of Ohio’s JOBS Student Retention Program (JSRP), a program designed to facilitate success for public assistance recipients at 2-year community or technical colleges. The authors evaluate this policy using state administrative data sets. The analyses consist of unadjusted and regression-adjusted comparisons of means for the JSRP group and a constructed comparison group. Outcomes examined include program completion, employment, earnings, and welfare recipiency. Focusing on the most recent 11 of 16 quarters of data available, the average increase in quarterly earnings was 8.45% for program participants and 12.91% for program completers. The results indicate that encouraging postsecondary education for some welfare recipients will boost earnings capacity and therefore long-term self-sufficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Hollenbeck & Jean Kimmel, 2002. "The Role of Postsecondary Education in Welfare Reform," Evaluation Review, , vol. 26(6), pages 618-644, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:26:y:2002:i:6:p:618-644
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X0202600603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heckman, J.J. & Hotz, V.J., 1988. "Choosing Among Alternative Nonexperimental Methods For Estimating The Impact Of Social Programs: The Case Of Manpower Training," University of Chicago - Economics Research Center 88-12, Chicago - Economics Research Center.
    2. Kane, Thomas J & Rouse, Cecilia Elena, 1995. "Labor-Market Returns to Two- and Four-Year College," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(3), pages 600-614, June.
    3. Heckman, James, 2013. "Sample selection bias as a specification error," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 31(3), pages 129-137.
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