Search

Molly Irwin has more than 25 years of experience leading large-scale research and evaluation efforts and working with policy makers, researchers, and practitioners to build and use evidence. Irwin has worked to improve public programs and policy outcomes in workforce development, child and family well-being, public health, and conservation, most recently as the Pew Charitable Trusts’ vice president of research and science. She spent over 10 years in the federal government in the Department of Labor (DOL), where she served as the chief evaluation officer, and in the Administration for Children and Families. She has also overseen major initiatives in state and local government and academia.

Dr. Sebastian Lemire is an evaluation expert with decades of experience designing and managing evaluations of education and workforce development programs. He has extensive experience with a broad range of evaluation approaches, quasi- and non-experimental designs, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods, as well as systematic evidence reviews.

Dr. Lauver has over 25 years of experience as a researcher, evaluator, project director, and technical assistance (TA) provider at the local, state, and federal levels. Her work spans leading initiatives for the U.S. Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCC) Program; youth development and out-of-school-time learning programs, including serving families and students with disabilities; and teacher professional development in literacy, mathematics, and science. Additional areas of specialization include culturally responsive research and evaluation studies involving quantitative and qualitative methods. A subject matter expert in P-12 education policy, she has produced extensive bodies of knowledge used by thousands of educators at state education agencies, local education agencies, and charter schools.

Abt’s analysis of career trajectories showed that Year Up increased transitions from training to higher-wage jobs but had no effect on persistent disconnection.

The Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings found that most Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meals provided required CACFP components.

Evidence continues to paint an encouraging picture of Career Pathways programs’ effect on improving education, employment, and earnings outcomes.

Abt Global’s analysis of careers in mid-level occupations found the features of occupations and workers that affected wage increases.

This report from Abt provides qualitative context to New York City’s poverty data, describing challenges the city’s citizens face.