Lansing Area Manufacturing Partnership
In 1998‚ the National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) began a four year examination of the Lansing Area Manufacturing Partnership (LAMP), a business/union-driven school-to-career program. NIWL supported the development‚ implementation‚ evaluation‚ and replication of this unique initiative through four separate but closely related research and technical assistance projects:
- NIWL conducted a comprehensive case study evaluation of the LAMP partnership‚ collecting data through site visits‚ interviews‚ focus groups‚ telephone surveys‚ and document review. Two reports‚ Simultaneous Development and Manufacturing Educational Change‚ were delivered in 1998 and 1999‚ respectively.
- In 1999‚ NIWL undertook a three-year longitudinal study of LAMP graduates to determine statistically the program’s long-term effects on students’ academic achievement and career progression. A series of research reports were produced and disseminated nationally.
- NIWL led the strategic planning and design of a national roll-out process that seeks to replicate the LAMP model in locations nationwide.
- NIWL supported the first replication site selected for national roll-out in Detroit and fielded an intensive case study evaluation methodology deliberately designed to aid in the initiative’s development and growth. In the years following this replication‚ the Detroit Manufacturing Partnership has been recognized by the Governor of Michigan as an award winning program.
The following is a sample of the types of work that were conducted under this contract:
- Implemented a formative evaluation of the partnership that focused on process and operation‚ resulting in recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Designed and conducted a rigorous impact evaluation that collected quantitative data on the effects of program participation and impacts on students‚ school partners‚ and employers.
- Provided technical assistance and capacity building to program administrators and instructional staff that strengthened program design and delivery.
- Produced numerous reports‚ briefing memos‚ and training manuals that promoted program improvement and documented project progress and success.
- Facilitated strategic planning sessions and developed action plans that led to the achievement of client goals and objectives.
- Designed and implemented a strategic plan to launch an award-winning replication site under significantly different circumstances.
To read publications produced under the LAMP project‚ visit the NIWL Resource Center.