Research

Five studies reviewed by the WWC investigated the effectiveness of High School Redirection. Three studies were included within one research report (Dynarski & Wood, 1997). This report summarized findings on the effectiveness of the replications of High School Redirection sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor as part of the ASDP evaluation. Two of the Dynarski and Wood (1997) studies—those conducted in Wichita, Kansas, and Cincinnati, Ohio—met WWC evidence standards. A third—conducted in Stockton, California—met evidence standards with reservations. The Stockton study received a lower rating because a substantial number of control group students enrolled in the intervention school. ⁴ The remaining two studies of High School Redirection did not meet WWC evidence screens.

The Dynarski and Wood (1997) studies in Stockton, Wichita, and Cincinnati were all randomized controlled trials in which applicants to the alternative school were assigned either to the intervention group, who were offered admission to the school, or to a control group, who were not. The Stockton study included 374 youth who applied to enter the program for the 1991–92 school year; the Wichita study included 358 applicants for the 1991–92 and 1992–93 school years; and the Cincinnati study included 902 applicants for the 1993–94 and 1994–95 school years.

Extent of evidence

The WWC categorizes the extent of evidence in each domain as small or medium to large (see the What Works Clearinghouse Extent of Evidence Categorization Scheme). The extent of evidence takes into account the number of studies and the total sample size across the studies that met WWC evidence standards with or without reservations. ⁵

The WWC considers the extent of evidence for High School Redirection to be medium to large for staying in school, for progressing in school, and for completing school.