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What Works Clearinghouse


Report Summary

Effectiveness

Talent Search was found to have potentially positive effects on completing school.

Program Information

Talent Search aims to help low-income and first-generation college students (those whose parents do not have four-year college degrees) complete high school and gain access to college through a combination of services designed to improve academic achievement and increase access to financial aid. Services include test taking and study skills assistance, academic advising, tutoring, career development, college campus visits, and financial aid application assistance.

Research

Two studies of Talent Search met What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence standards with reservations—one conducted in Texas and another in Florida. Together, the studies included about 5,000 Talent Search participants, as well as a comparison sample of more than 70,000 students created through propensity score matching.