This report is one in a series of case studies RAND researchers are conducting as part of an independent evaluation of the BHP Foundation's Education Equity program. This case study traces the development of two efforts by UN Women's Second Chance Education Programme (SCE) in India to support policy changes that improve women's access to education…

Program participants have been largely excluded as an evidence source in realist evaluations. We test whether and how lived experience as described through life history interviews with pilot program participants can be used as a valid and unique source of data for elucidating context (C)--mechanism (M)--outcome (O) configurations and informing…

Despite the national focus on improving transition services and post-school outcomes, many young women with disabilities still face significant barriers in obtaining meaningful employment and pursuing postsecondary education or training. Although recent reports indicate that the gender gap in employment rates may be diminishing, in this same…

The first documented day-long program to encourage girls to consider computing as a career was held in 1987 in the U.K. Over the last 20 years these one-day events, labeled "Girls into Computing" days, have been conducted by academics and professionals to foster female-student interest in information technology (IT) degrees and careers.…

A plan at Purdue University to develop a model program for women in engineering is described. The Purdue Department of Freshman Engineering received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the Women's Education Equity Act to help overcome some of the problems faced by women who enter engineering. The program focuses on an…

This report summarizes a study of the effectiveness of the National Science Foundation's Research Opportunities for Women (ROW) program in encouraging female scientists and engineers to initiate research careers. Study findings are based on telephone interviews conducted with 657 ROW-eligible women: 255 who applied through the ROW program, 302 who…

This report presents the study of a project conceived as a means of developing and testing a model Career Development Program. The project was designed to contribute significantly to the opening of nontraditional occupations to young women of low socioeconomic status and varying race and ethnic backgrounds. Three major goals were: (1) To assist a…

In response to Federal and State laws that prohibit employment discrimination, the California State Personnel Board (SPB) instituted a series of programs and projects designed to overcome underrepresentation and underutilization of minority group members and women in civil service jobs. A subcommittee of the California Advisory Committee to the…

In May 1997, USAID's Center for Development Information and Evaluation (CDIE) launched the initiative, "Focus on Girls: An Evaluation of USAID Programs and Policies in Education." The effort included five Impact Evaluations, including this study in Guinea (Guatemala, Malawi, Nepal, and Pakistan were the others). This Impact Evaluation…

The North Carolina Department of Public Education has developed an equal employment/affirmative action policy in accordance with Federal civil rights laws, and directives from the State Board of Education. Rather than merely ensuring anti-biased hiring practices, the policy provides for the recruitment, employment and promotion of qualified…

The Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA) program in Des Moines, Iowa, is analyzed in this report in light of its value for minorities, the economically disadvantaged, and people with little formal education. The history, purpose, organization, and administration of the program are outlined. Eligibility requirements for and availability of…

The number of female prisoners continues to grow in the United States, yet most examinations of how to increase reintegration and reduce recidivation focus on the needs of the predominantly male prisoner population. As a result, prison education programs and post-release environments often leave women unprepared and facing special risks. This…

A project funded by a Women's Educational Equity Act grant provided women greater access to and awareness of nontraditional career opportunities and gave successful Kansas City, Missouri, professional women greater visibility in the community. The three components were (1) an internship program during which a woman intern was placed under…

This manual has been developed to assist mentors in working with mentees in a career mentoring program. The manual is divided into four sections. The first section provides information on how to be an effective career mentor. It suggests strategies to make the time mentors spend with mentees meaningful. The second section provides information on…

The Principals Institute is one of several programs designed to increase the number of minorities and women in supervisory and administrative positions in the New York City school system. During three academic semesters and a summer, students in the Institute attend classes and participate in an internship. On completion, students receive a…