Publications & Policy Briefs

Research translating evidence into policy and practice for disability employment, wage policy, inclusive education, and workforce development

2026
The Labor Market Effects of Subminimum Wage Elimination: Evidence from a National Analysis
Yin, M., Seo, R., & Vu, H.
Labour Economics, 100, 102884
First national quasi-experimental analysis of Section 14(c) elimination using DOL administrative records (2015-2024) and CPS data (2009-2024) across 15 states. Finds no aggregate job loss and a 12.4% decline in welfare dependence among workers with disabilities.
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2025
Whole-School Inclusion Programs and Student Academic and Behavioral Outcomes
Yin, M., Siwach, G., & Orellana, A.
AERA Open, 11
Using 11 years of student-level administrative data from North Carolina, examines how the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program affects academic and behavioral outcomes. Finds longer participation is associated with improved performance and reduced absenteeism and suspensions.
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2025
Universal by Design: Unveiling the Effectiveness of Accommodations and Universal Design Features through Process Data
Ogut, B., Yin, M., Vu, H., Hicks, J., & Circi, R.
Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, 44(4), 18-32
Examines how testing accommodations and universal design features relate to standardized test performance using NAEP process data. Extended time improves performance for students with disabilities; results for text-to-speech and equation editors are mixed.
Read Paper NAEP Project
2025
Running Out of Time: Leveraging Process Data to Identify Students Who May Benefit from Extended Time
Ogut, B., Circi, R., Huo, H., Hicks, J., & Yin, M.
International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 17(2), 253-265
Uses large-scale NAEP log data to identify students who may benefit from extended time accommodations in digital math assessments.
NAEP Project
2025
Limited Cost-Benefit Analysis of Virtual Interview Training for Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities
Danielson, E. C., Smith, M. J., Ross, B., Camp, J. K., Evangelist, M., Smith, J. D., Yin, M., Atkinson, M. S. & Jordan, N.
Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals
Cost-benefit analysis of virtual interview training programs for transition-age youth with disabilities in pre-employment transition services.
2024
Exploring Mathematical Problem Solving through Process Mining: Insights from Large Scale Assessment Log Data
Ogut, B., Webb, B., Hicks, J., Circi, R. & Yin, M.
Computers in the Schools
Applies process mining techniques to NAEP log data to uncover how students approach mathematical problem solving in digital assessments.
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2022
Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Labor Market Outcomes for Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities in Maine
Yin, M., Siwach, G. and Lin, D.
Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Vol. 00, No. 0, 1-32
Causal analysis of how vocational rehabilitation services affect employment and earnings for young adults with disabilities during the transition from school to work.
Read Paper Maine P2P Project
2020
Impact of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Program on High School Completion
Yin, M., Siwach G., and Belyakova Y.
American Educational Research Journal, Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 315-344
Evaluates the impact of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program on high school completion rates using rigorous econometric methods.
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2020
Identifying Racial Differences in Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Yin, M., Pathak, A., Lin D., and Dizdari N.
Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin
Examines racial disparities in access to and outcomes from vocational rehabilitation services, identifying systemic inequities across demographic groups.
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2020
Teacher Effectiveness in Adult Education
Yin, M., Cronen, S., Condelli, L., and Ogut, B.
Adult Education Quarterly
Investigates the relationship between teacher characteristics and student outcomes in adult education, including test gains and transitions into postsecondary education.
Read Paper
2013
Is It Live or Is It Internet? Experimental Estimates of the Effects of Online Instruction on Student Learning
Figlio, D., Rush, M., & Yin, L.
Journal of Labor Economics, 31(4), 763-784
Pioneering randomized controlled trial comparing live and online instruction at a major research university. Findings show that online instruction can match in-person learning outcomes.

Policy Briefs & Research Reports

2026
Eliminating Subminimum Wages Does Not Cost Workers with Disabilities Their Jobs
Yin, M., Seo, R., & Vu, H. | RISEI Lab, Northwestern University
Policy Brief | March 2026
National policy brief summarizing findings from the first quasi-experimental study of Section 14(c) elimination across 15 states. No aggregate job loss, 12.4% decline in welfare receipt, and policy recommendations for states.
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2026
Wage Policy Reform in Virginia: Minimum Wage, Subminimum Wage & EPIC
Yin, M. | RISEI Lab, Northwestern University
Policy Brief | March 2026
Guide for Virginia policymakers, VR practitioners, and service providers covering Virginia's minimum wage trajectory, the national 14(c) landscape, Virginia's phase-out from 4,000 to 129 workers, and the RPRJ EPIC project.
Download Brief Virginia EPIC Project
2025
The Economic Imperative of Vocational Rehabilitation: Enhancing U.S. Economic Vitality and Competitiveness
Yin, M. & Guerrero, D.
Policy Brief | Northwestern University
Presents evidence that VR participation increases quarterly earnings by approximately $1,442 and raises employment rates by 15.4 percentage points, with ROI ranging from $2.55 to $21.54 per dollar invested. Calls on policymakers to strengthen VR funding as a high-return economic investment.
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2025
Stronger Together: How Interagency Collaboration Transforms Youth Transitions
Yin, M.
Policy Brief | RISEI Lab, Northwestern University
Documents that youth receiving coordinated multi-agency services are twice as likely to be employed within two years of leaving high school. Highlights Maine's Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) initiative as a model for interagency collaboration in youth transitions.
View Research NCRTM Maine P2P
2024
Something EPIC is Happening in Virginia: Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities
Yin, M., Seo, R., Vu, H., Shaewitz, D., Nadzam, J., & Ford, J.
Policy Brief Series No. 101 | Northwestern University & Third Sight
Examines the Virginia DARS model demonstration project transitioning people from subminimum wage to competitive integrated employment. Highlights that over 120,000 workers were paid an average of $3.50/hr under 14(c) certificates, with only 5% transitioning to competitive employment.
View Research Virginia EPIC Download PDF
2021
Serving All Consumers: Identifying Racial Disparities in the Vocational Rehabilitation System
Shaewitz, D. M. & Yin, M.
Policy Brief | American Institutes for Research
Examines racial disparities in access to and outcomes from the vocational rehabilitation system. Identifies inequities in how consumers of different racial backgrounds are served and provides recommendations for equitable service delivery.
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2021
Return on Investment of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities in Maine
Yin, M., Siwach, G., Lin, D., & Fatima, S.
Research Brief | American Institutes for Research
Examines the ROI of vocational rehabilitation services for transition-age youth with disabilities in Maine using individual-level administrative data and rigorous analytical methods to control for self-selection.
Download Brief (PDF) Maine P2P Project
2020
Leading the Way, or Falling Behind? What the Data Tell Us About Disability Pay Equity and Opportunity in Boston and Other Top Metropolitan Areas
Yin, M., Shaewitz, D., & Megra, M.
Research Report | American Institutes for Research, Ruderman Family Foundation
Examines the pay gap between workers with and without disabilities in Boston and other large U.S. metros. Finds the Boston income gap is approximately $24,000 -- nearly $10,000 more than the national average -- widening with higher educational attainment.
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2020
The Purchasing Power of Working-Age Adults With Disabilities in Boston and Other Top Metropolitan Areas
Yin, M., Shaewitz, D., & Megra, M.
Research Brief | American Institutes for Research, Ruderman Family Foundation
Quantifies the disposable and discretionary income held by people with disabilities across the 10 largest U.S. metros. Boston's disability community holds $7 billion in disposable income, exceeding the city's annual budget.
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2018
A Hidden Market: The Purchasing Power of Working-Age Adults With Disabilities
Yin, M., Shaewitz, D., Overton, C., & Smith, D.
Research Report | American Institutes for Research
Quantifies the purchasing power and market size represented by working-age adults with disabilities in the United States. Analyzes disposable and discretionary income across disability types and metropolitan areas, making the case that the disability community represents a significant and underserved consumer market.
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2015
One Size Does Not Fit All: A New Look at the Labor Force Participation of People With Disabilities
Yin, M. & Shaewitz, D.
Policy Brief | American Institutes for Research
Provides an updated analysis of labor force participation rates among people with disabilities, disaggregating by disability type to show that employment experiences vary significantly. Argues that a one-size-fits-all policy approach is insufficient.
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2014
An Uneven Playing Field: The Lack of Equal Pay for People With Disabilities
Yin, M., Shaewitz, D., & Megra, M.
Policy Brief | American Institutes for Research
Quantifies the pay gap between workers with and without disabilities using national data. Examines how the income gap varies by educational attainment and disability type, highlighting the economic implications of unequal pay.
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