|PDF (1 MB)| This report presents an analysis of the
effectiveness of the Talent Search in Florida, Indiana, and
Texas, drawing upon project, state, and federal administrative
records to examine short-term program outcomes for program
participants and a matched comparison group. The specific goals
of the Talent Search program are to identify qualified youths
with potential for postsecondary education programs, publicize
the availability of student financial aide, and encourage
secondary and postsecondary school dropouts to reenter an
educational program. The main research questions posed in this
design and addressed in this report are (1) Is it possible to
rely on administrative records to compile a complete,
retrospective record of participation in Talent Search,
characteristics of students in secondary school, and secondary
and postsecondary outcomes? And (2) Can administrative data
sources and quasi-experimental techniques be used to identify
students similar to Talent Search students but who did not parti