Moving Forward: College and Career Transitions of LAMP Graduates. Findings from the LAMP Longitudinal Study.

A longitudinal study examined the college and career transitions of graduates of the Lansing Area Manufacturing Partnership (LAMP) program, which is a school-to-career (STC) program sponsored by the United Auto Workers, General Motors Corporation, and Michigan's Ingham County Intermediate School District. The progress of three cohorts of LAMP students20 graduates of the class of 1998, 54 graduates of the class of 1999, and 54 graduates of the class of 2000was compared to that of groups of students who graduated from the same high schools. Data were collected through mail surveys administered every 6 months and a round of qualitative interviews with a selective sample of LAMP graduates in spring 2002. Compared with the comparison group members, the LAMP graduates pursued postsecondary education at higher rates and they had a higher level of persistence in higher education. LAMP graduates pursued a wide variety of fields of study, not limited to manufacturing or other technical careers. Compared with the comparison group members, more LAMP graduates were enrolled and working at the same time. Despite their higher rates of employment, the LAMP graduates' cumulative grade-point averages were comparable to those of the comparison group. The LAMP program has proven effective in helping students make successful school-to-work transitions and school-to-college transitions. (Contains 13 figures.) (MN)