Expanding a program while maintaining its quality is a challenge for many sector-focused training organizations (organizations that train people for sectors of the labor market in which there is strong local demand). STRIVE, a sector-based training organization that began as a small organization in East Harlem and is now operating nationally, is committed to expanding its programs responsibly while building its evidence base. In partnership with MDRC, STRIVE is drawing insights from its historical program data, developing tools to improve its data systems, and advancing its research and development agenda. If STRIVE meets its expansion targets, these conditions could support a rigorous evaluation.

This brief explores how STRIVE has developed tools to monitor and strengthen its programs as it expands nationally. Using a common framework for assessing evaluation readiness, MDRC and STRIVE developed logic models for two of STRIVE’s programs, assessed data practices, and built data tools to support expansion and inform program improvement.