Measuring the Effectiveness of a Career Academy Program from an Employer’s Perspective

Using data collected from 254 participants, I examined the effectiveness of a career academy program. Previous research on adolescent school-to-work transition programs has measured effectiveness using academic outcomes such as grades, graduation rates, and high school credits earned. This study measures the effectiveness of an academy program using outcomes relevant to employers, that is, job performance and work attendance. School outcomes of grades and attendance were found to have a direct effect on postsecondary work outcomes of performance and attendance. Results indicated that the program’s positive effect on high school attendance had a positive impact on work attendance. Implications for public policy, business, and the academic communities are discussed.