Glossary

A study’s ability to demonstrate that the group receiving the program (the program group) and the group not receiving the program (the comparison group) are similar to each other before the program group begins receiving services is a key factor for determining the reliability of a study’s findings. Demonstrating that the two groups are similar according to important characteristics (such as earnings at least one year before baseline, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, sex, and age) is called demonstrating baseline equivalence. We assess studies for how well they are able to show that the program and comparison groups are largely similar across these key characteristics at baseline and, if differences exist, how they have accounted for those differences in their analysis.

Adult Basic Education (ABE), high school equivalency preparation (for the General Educational Development [GED] or high school equivalency test [HiSET]), or pre-college education courses designed for those not currently enrolled in school who need assistance obtaining basic skills in mathematics, reading, and writing. These can include developmental education courses for students preparing for postsecondary coursework.