Shifting Gears Evaluation

Overview:

This effort aims to identify and implement state policies and an action plan that support transition-to-college programs that prepare low-skilled or low-income adults to enter occupations in three industry sectors: healthcare, manufacturing, and transportationdistribution-logistics. Eight pilot sites were selected to develop and implement bridge programs targeted at one or more of three specific populations: students enrolled in adult basic education, remedial/developmental education, or English literacy courses. During phase one (2007-2009) OCCRL was responsible for evaluating the pilot sites (Black Hawk, College of DuPage, College of Lake County, John A. Logan, Lewis and Clark, Mc Henry, Oakton, and three of the City Colleges of Chicago: Olive Harvey, Wilbur Wright and Malcolm X).

Goals:

Phase one of Shifting Gears sought to:

• Identify state and local opportunities to support bridge programming;,
• Optimize current funding and operationalize bridge programs;
• Implement local policies to support promising practices in instructional and delivery methods; and
• Develop a statewide data infrastructure to support the planning, management and evaluation of a statewide career pathway system.

Click here to access a working document, entitled "Shifting Gears Quantitative Evaluation Questions, Measures and Data Elements."

Project Profile: