JTPA Success Stories in Texas and Illinois: The Who, How and What of Successful Outcomes.

A study assessed the success of Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs by examining current approaches, featuring operational and experimentally based measures, all using the individual as the unit observation. The research used Program Year 1990 JTPA termination and associated program participation records in Illinois and Texas. Two principal measures of success were used: 155% of poverty (application of a factor of 1.55 to federally defined poverty income levels) and strict-steady employment (continuous employment, potentially with several employers). Participation patterns reflected the national policy shift toward more intensive longer-term services. The share of terminees continuously employed increased from 25 to 28 percent in Illinois from the first to the second postprogram year, but was roughly constant in Texas at about 35 percent; earnings success rates rose in both states. Longer-term program success rates were consistently higher for males, adults, whites, those with greater educational attainment, and those receiving no public assistance at enrollment. Two variables had the most pronounced and statistically significant effects on rates of success: prior work and earnings and securing a full-time job at termination from JTPA. Field interviews indicated that constrained choice and empowered counselors were associated with successful programs. (Appendixes include data tables and detailed regressions results for Illinois and Texas; and additional results for Texas adjusted for family status and size. Contains 49 references. (YLB)