Intervention Ratings for Dropout Prevention

Each dropout prevention intervention that had at least one study meeting WWC standards (with or without reservations) received a rating of effectiveness in one or more of the three outcome domains: staying in school, progressing in school, and completing school. The ratings characterize evidence in a domain, taking into account the quality of the research design, the statistical significance of the findings, the size of the difference between participants in the intervention and comparison conditions, and the consistency in findings across studies.

The research evidence can be rated as positive, potentially positive, mixed, no discernible effects, potentially negative, or negative (see the WWC Intervention Rating Scheme). Table 1 shows the effectiveness ratings for the 16 dropout prevention interventions (empty cells indicate that studies meeting standards did not report findings in that domain).

Absence of conflict of interest

Several studies in the WWC review of dropout prevention interventions were conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR). Because the principal investigator for the WWC review is an MPR staff member, these MPR studies were rated by staff from Caliber, an ICF International Company, which also prepared the corresponding intervention reports. These reports were then reviewed by MPR staff as well as external peer reviewers.