Investing in Children and Parents: Opportunities and Challenges Facing Dual-Generation Strategies in the US
(Presented at 2011 APPAM Fall Research Conference in Washington DC)

Author: Christopher T. King, Tara Smith, Robert C. Glover
Date: Nov 5, 2011
Publication Type: Presentation. 18 pp.
This presentation, prepared for the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management’s (APPAM) annual Fall Research Conference held in Washington DC, presents an overview of dual-generation policies, including a conceptual framework, an analysis of the major opportunities and challenges for these strategies, and thoughts on next steps for moving forward with a dual-generation agenda.

Investing in Children and Parents: Fostering Dual-Generation Strategies in the United States

Authors: Christopher T. King, Tara Smith, and Robert C. Glover
Date: November 5, 2011
Publication Type: Paper, 34pp. (Prepared for the 2011 APPAM Fall Research Conference in Washington, D.C.)

This paper, prepared for the 2011 Fall Research Conference hosted by the Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management, presents an overview of dual-generation strategies, including a conceptual framework and important components, an analysis of the major opportunities and challenges for these strategies, and thoughts on next steps for moving forward with a dual-generation agenda.

How Effective Are Workforce Development Programs? Implications for U.S. Workforce Policies

Authors: Christopher T. King and Carolyn J. Heinrich
Date: November 2011
Publication Type: Research Paper. 27pp. (Prepared for the APPAM Fall Research Conference 2011.)

In this paper, the authors begin by first describing the programs that encompass workforce development and then examine the evidence and conventional wisdom on the effectiveness of workforce development programs, elaborating on the arguments outlined above that challenge the conventional wisdom and the approaches that have been applied in measuring the effectiveness of workforce development interventions. They conclude by summarizing the arguments and evidence in support of an alternative view that counters the conventional wisdom and finds that workforce development works.

Investing in Children and Parents: Fostering Dual-Generation Strategies in the United States
(Presented at the “Two-Generation Strategies in Education” Roundtable meeting in Washington DC)

Author: Christopher T. King, Tara Smith, Robert C. Glover
Date: Oct 14, 2011
Publication Type: Presentation. 19 pp.
This presentation, prepared for the “Two-Generation Strategies in Education” roundtable, co-convened by the Ray Marshall Center, Ascend, and the Foundation for Child Development on Oct. 14, presents an overview of dual-generation policies, including a conceptual framework, an analysis of the major opportunities and challenges for these strategies, and thoughts on next steps for moving forward with a dual-generation agenda.

Identifying Gaps and Setting Priorities for Employment and Training Research

This report reviews workforce and related research funded by several federal agencies and other federal entities. It also reviews research and evaluation projects undertaken by regional, state, and local workforce agencies and research supported by several national and regional foundations, as well as research that has been or is being conducted independently by leading researchers without substantial public or private support. Finally, this report identifies high-priority research topic areas to examine over the next five years.

Podcast: Integrating Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities into State and Regional Economic and Workforce Development Strategies

Author: Christopher T. King
Date: March 2011
Publication Type: Transcript and podcast of interview (Posted on NTAR Leadership Center’s Research in Brief Serices)
Read transcript of interview with Dr. Christopher T. King.
Listen to interview with Dr. Christopher T. King

Integrating Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities into State and Regional Economic and Workforce Development Strategies
(Issue Brief of the NTAR Leadership Center)

Authors: Christopher T. King
Date: January 2011
Publisher: National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing the Employment and Economic Independence of Adults with Disabilities (NTAR)
Publication Type: Issue Brief No. 7
Availability: Available on the U.S. Department of Labors website at this link: NTAR Brief No. 7

Across the nation, state and regional economic and workforce development officials have begun to work together more systematically and strategically in an effort to better address the economic needs of a geographical area, including creating jobs for local residents. A new perspective has emerged that recognizes the need for a skilled and ready “talent pipeline” to support local economic growth. This brief offers some background on recent trends in economic and workforce development strategies, and highlights two regions that have been piloting initiatives to include opportunities for people with disabilities in their regional activities.

The Use of Market Mechanisms
(Chapter in The Workforce Investment Act: Implementation Experiences and Evaluation Findings)

Authors: Christopher T. King, Burt S. Barnow
Date: 2011
Publisher: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Publication Type: Chapter in The Workforce Investment Act: Implementation Experiences and Evaluation Findings, co-edited by Douglas J. Besharov and Phoebe H. Cottingham
Availability: Book available for purchase from the W.E. Upjohn Institute at this link.

The authors present key results concerning market and market-like mechanisms in the delivery of workforce services in the US. These mechanisms include labor market information (LMI), provider certification, individual training accounts (ITAs), and performance standards and incentives. The findings are based on WIA study conducted 2003-2005 that examined the experiences of eight states. The authors also provide a series of conclusions relevant to the use of market mechanisms, as well as recommendations for both the WIA reauthorization process and the European Social Fund.