Populations

MDRC is committed to learning what works best
to improve the lives of low-income individuals,
families, and children.

Children and Schools MDRC develops and studies programs to improve students’ prospects for success from the time they first begin school through adulthood. In doing so, MDRC collaborates with teachers, school leaders, district administrators, and others to improve student outcomes and the school environment.	FOCUS POPULATIONS: Preschool Children Elementary and Middle School Students High School Students Struggling Students Teachers/School Administrators	FEATURED PUBLICATION Sustained Positive Effects on Graduation Rates Produced by New York City’s Small Public High Schools of Choice Overview Full PDF
Young Adults Young adulthood involves a series of high-stakes transitions in education, work, and family arrangements. MDRC develops and evaluates programs to ease these transitions for young people and to assist those facing challenges and setbacks in finding a path to a stable adult life.	FOCUS POPULATIONS: College Students High School Dropouts Youth in Foster Care Youth with Disabilities	FEATURED PUBLICATION Staying on Course Overview Full PDF
Populations with Barriers to Employment Many people who want and need to work face major barriers to doing so, from a physical or mental disability to the lack of a high school diploma or a history with the criminal justice system. MDRC designs and evaluates programs to help people who face such obstacles to overcome them and live more productive, fulfilling lives.	FOCUS POPULATIONS: Former Prisoners Veterans People with Depression Substance Abusers People with Disabilities	FEATURED PUBLICATION Building Knowledge About Successful Prisoner Reentry Strategies Overview Full PDF
Low-Income Populations Since its founding, MDRC has focused on improving the lot of low-wage workers and helping unemployed people to gain a foothold in the labor market.	FOCUS POPULATIONS: Low-Wage Workers Welfare Recipients Public Housing Residents The Unemployed	FEATURED PUBLICATION Toward Reduced Poverty Across Generations Overview Full PDF
Families Focused on improving the circumstances of low-income families with children, MDRC develops and studies program that serve parents and children in a range of family configurations.	FOCUS POPULATIONS: Single-Parent Families Two-Parent Families Fathers Children 0-5	FEATURED PUBLICATION Strengthening Low-Income Families: A Research Agenda for Parenting, Relationship, and Fatherhood Programs Overview Full PDF

Children and Schools

MDRC develops and studies programs to improve students’ prospects for success from the time they first begin school through adulthood. In doing so, MDRC collaborates with teachers, school leaders, district administrators, and others to improve student outcomes and the school environment.

FOCUS POPULATIONS:

FEATURED PUBLICATION

Sustained Positive Effects on Graduation Rates Produced by New York City’s Small Public High Schools of Choice

Young Adults

Young adulthood involves a series of high-stakes transitions in education, work, and family arrangements. MDRC develops and evaluates programs to ease these transitions for young people and to assist those facing challenges and setbacks in finding a path to a stable adult life.

FOCUS POPULATIONS:

FEATURED PUBLICATION

Staying on Course

Populations with Barriers to Employment

Many people who want and need to work face major barriers to doing so, from a physical or mental disability to the lack of a high school diploma or a history with the criminal justice system. MDRC designs and evaluates programs to help people who face such obstacles to overcome them and live more productive, fulfilling lives.

FOCUS POPULATIONS:

FEATURED PUBLICATION

Building Knowledge About Successful Prisoner Reentry Strategies

Low-Income Populations

Since its founding, MDRC has focused on improving the lot of low-wage workers and helping unemployed people to gain a foothold in the labor market.

FOCUS POPULATIONS:

FEATURED PUBLICATION

Toward Reduced Poverty Across Generations

Families

Focused on improving the circumstances of low-income families with children, MDRC develops and studies program that serve parents and children in a range of family configurations.