Very few programs have (1) multiple, rigorous evaluations (2) showing strong and consistent results (3) robust across locations and providers (4) with long term follow-up (5) and can broadly scale. That's why we @Arnold_Ventures are so excited about CUNY-ASAP, a program of comprehensive student supports that significantly increases grad rates and future economic outcomes. Launched in NY in 2007, the program has been successfully adopted by dozens of colleges in several states. Still, it hasn’t reached the scale it should. That’s why we invested $35 million to expand the ASAP program across 15 community college systems in North Carolina. Public funds are spent on so many programs with much a weaker evidence base. Even reallocating funds from things that don't work to things that do has enormous potential to improve outcomes.

Here's the latest research study: "...net social benefits are strongly positive even under our most conservative assumptions."