Despite apparent strong implementation, Way2Work Maryland did not generate its intended effects; the report lists five possible reasons¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2021 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Although the vocational rehabilitation agency and the University of Maryland appear to have implemented the program well, it did not generate the intended effects. → David Mann 2021

Evidence¶

David Mann 2021¶

David Mann, Kathleen Feeney, Todd Honeycutt, Marlena Luhr. (2021). Way2Work Maryland Demonstration: Impacts 24 Months After Enrollment. Mathematica. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/way2work-maryland-demonstration-impacts-24-months-after-enrollment

q2 · i? · causal · r2

Authors' overall interpretation of the 24-month RCT findings. Implementation appeared strong, but intended effects were absent; the report lists possible reasons including "low statistical power for the evaluation" and "delayed positive effects."

"Although the vocational rehabilitation agency and the University of Maryland appear to have implemented the program well, Way2Work Maryland did not generate the intended effects. Possible reasons include the model not leading to intended outcomes, strong existing services for youth transition, low statistical power for the evaluation, delayed positive effects, and a lack of focus on the population of youth who could most benefit from the program."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Youth who were less education-oriented and more work-oriented may have been more likely to enroll in the PROMISE demonstration — related
• Way2Work Maryland did not affect postsecondary education and training outcomes, but more treatment group members completed high school within two years of enrollment — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• The vocational rehabilitation agency and the University of Maryland implemented the Way2Work Maryland model as designed, and participants received the model services as intended — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Way2Work Maryland did not affect employment or expectation outcomes as of 24 months after enrollment — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Way2Work Maryland increased vocational rehabilitation agency engagement, with almost all treatment group members using agency-provided work-based learning experiences — related
• Control group members had ready access to transition-related services, and Way2Work services may have substituted for existing services — related
• Participants reported satisfaction with selected Way2Work Maryland service components — related
• Service use differed across local school systems in Way2Work Maryland — related
• Most Way2Work Maryland participants (92 percent) had at least one work experience, 74 percent had at least two with one paid, and 44 percent had at least three with one paid — related