Urban researchers investigate education-to-employment pathways for student parents and young parents, using mixed-methods program evaluation, data analysis, participatory action research, and cost studies. Their insights guide various changemakers in shaping policy and practice, funding investments, and developing future research to help families achieve their academic, career, and life goals.
Recent Analysis and Insights
Through their work, Urban researchers:
- Created a policy framework and a Roadmap for Change supporting pregnant and parenting students.
- Launched a Data-to-Action Campaign for Parenting Students, offering insights for consistently measuring college students’ parenting status to inform supportive services and policy changes.
- Modeled the implications of a policy change that would expand federal access to child care assistance for parents in school or training.
- Researched how young parents balance their time between work, school, and parenting and provided policy recommendations for how policymakers and education programs can support them.
- Compiled resources available to young parents to help community-based organizations support their needs.
- Assessed the impact of a New York City youth workforce system intervention on young parents.
- Outlined opportunities for bridging the gap between child care and workforce and training systems.
More Research
Urban researchers have also developed fact sheets on various policy systems and programs affecting pregnant and parenting students. Here are a subset, and more appear in our annotated Student-Parent Families at the Center Framework:
