The Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) evaluation, formerly referred to as The Innovative Strategies for Increasing Self-Sufficiency (ISIS) evaluation, is a 10-year random assignment evaluation of promising career pathways interventions aimed at increasing employment and self-sufficiency among low-income, low-skilled adults and youth. It is funded by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and led by Abt Global.
This brief summarizes the framework used to describe the career pathways approach and the theory of change that guides the evaluation. It then describes the nine programs in the evaluation, and concludes with the study’s research questions and data sources.
See More PACE Reports
Our Mission Impact Measurement Approach
Closing the Gap: Surveying LA Renters to Improve Housing Access
Abt helped HACLA collect and analyze current Los Angeles rental data, showing rents were about 12% higher than federal estimates and providing evidence to support voucher subsidy levels that better reflect local housing costs and improve access to stable housing.
Regulating Harmful Contaminants for Healthier Communities
Abt supported the EPA in developing and implementing data-driven regulations for hazardous chemicals—particularly carbon tetrachloride—helping turn scientific evidence into enforceable protections that reduce risks to workers, nearby communities, and the environment.
From Exposure to Protection: Securing Safe Drinking Water
Abt helped the EPA develop data-driven regulations, treatment tools, and exposure models that strengthen protections against contaminants such as PFAS and lead, improving drinking water safety for millions of Americans.