Intervention Ratings for Dropout Prevention

Each dropout prevention program 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 rating aims to characterize the evidence in a given 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 11 dropout prevention interventions (empty cells indicate that no evidence was reported).