Academic Supports

Creating Postsecondary Pathways to Good Jobs for Young High School Dropouts: The Possibilities and the Challenges

This paper focuses on strategies for creating postsecondary pathways for high school dropouts in order to close the skills gap as well as connect the talents of these youth to postsecondary skills and credentials. The paper argues that in order to improve educational and economical outcomes for high school dropouts, there must be alignment of secondary, postsecondary, workforce, and adult education systems and several actions must be taken.

Making progress toward graduation: Evidence from the Talent Development High School model

This study evaluates Talent Development, a school reform model that seeks to raise expectations of teachers and students and prepare students for postsecondary education and employment. The researchers followed 20 cohorts of ninth-grade students from five high schools for four years . Results showed that Talent Development had a positive impact on academic course credits earned, attendance and promotion rates during students’ first year of high school.

Sponsora-Scholar: long-term impacts of a youth mentoring program on student performance

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Sponsor-a-Scholar, a program for at-risk high school students which offers a mentor, academic assistance, college counseling and other services through their first year of college. High school academic performance, participation in college preparation activities, students’ self esteem and college enrollment and retention were analyzed.

Puente: What we have learned about preparing Latino youth for postsecondary education

This study analyzes the impact of students participating in High School Puente, a program aimed at increasing the number of educationally disadvantaged students enrolling in a postsecondary institution. Data was collected form 1,000 Puente and 1,000 non-Puente students in 18 high schools. Results showed significant differences between Puente students and the non-Puente comparison group in terms of attitudes on school, college aspirations and preparation, and students attending a four-year postsecondary institution.

Paths to success: An evaluation of the Gateway to Higher Education program

This study examines the impact of Gateway to Higher Education, an intensive program which entails an extended year and day, information and support for college, enrichment experiences in sciences and math, and internships. Longitudinal data was examined for Gateway participants and a comparison group of students and site visits, focus groups and interviews were conducted. Findings showed significant differences in high school graduation and college attendance rates, completion of high school coursework and strong Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) performance.

Implementation of the Talent Search Program, Past and Present: Final Report from Phase I of the National Evaluation

This national study examines Phase I of the implementation of Talent Search, a federal program designed to encourage students to participate in the federal aid program for postsecondary education. This report provides program growth, regulatory and legislative changes that occurred during this period and how the program was operating in terms of providing academic assistance, using technology to serve students, and issues faced when serving middle school students.

The Connection Strategy: Preparing Young People to Succeed in College and Beyond

This report describes how some of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s education grantees in Atlanta are working to increase the instances of students in the community moving on from secondary to postsecondary life. The author highlights the strategy known as "P-16" which aims to link education strategies from preschool through college graduation. Lessons learned provide insight for other communities undertaking this approach. This report would be most useful for state and community leaders working to graduate students prepared for postsecondary success.

Creating College Readiness: Profiles of 38 Schools That Know How

This report provides a profile of 38 schools and details how these schools have implemented strategies to promote and advance college readiness. The report outlines each school, characteristics that make the school unique, and lessons learned from undertaking particular strategies. The report is organized into six sections: 1) alternative schools, 2) charter schools, 3) comprehensive schools, 4) early college high schools, 5) magnet schools, and 6) private schools. In several cases, schools may have utilized more than one strategy to achieve their goal.

Stepping It Up: Building Pathways to College Success in Pennsylvania and Nationwide

This paper presents findings from the Pennsylvania Governor's Conference on Higher Education in March 2009 surrounding ways to improve college success. The paper presents four steps to achieving this derived from analysis of the presentations. The steps include: 1) identifying the challenges to increased college success; 2) creating and action plan for success; 3) putting the plan into action; and, 4) working together to increase college success.

Building Capacity to Promote College- and Career-Readiness for Secondary-Level English Language Learners: Policy Brief Featuring Austin, Texas

This policy brief discusses the growing second-language learner population in schools. Through case studies of schools in Austin and the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas, it provides state and federal policymakers recommendations for policy changes that can help schools increase student achievement among this population.

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