WWC review of this study

Impacts of dropout prevention programs [Early Identification and Intervention Project - Rockford, IL]: Final report. A research report from the School Dropout Demonstration Assistance Program evaluation.

Dynarski, M., Gleason, P., Rangarajan, A., & Wood, R. (1998). Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    554
     Students
    , grades
    6-8

Reviewed: September 2017

No statistically significant positive
findings
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Staying in School outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Did not drop out (%)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Full sample (Cohort 1 and 2);
554 students

94.00

93.00

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.

    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
    • H
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • P
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • Q
    • R
    • S
    • V
    • U
    • T
    • W
    • X
    • Z
    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
    • f
    • c
    • g
    • j
    • k
    • l
    • m
    • n
    • o
    • p
    • q
    • r
    • s
    • t
    • u
    • x
    • w
    • y

    Illinois

Setting

The study took place in 4 middle schools in Rockford, Illinois.

Study sample

The average age in both groups was 13 years old. The study reports demographics for the combined Cohort 1 & 2 baseline sample (not the same as the analytic sample because of attrition). For intervention students: 56% were male; 44% African-American, 39% White, 9% Latino, and 8% Other; 30% were in households that received public assistance; 3% were in households that speak a language other than English at home. For comparison students: 51% were male; 39% African-American, 42% White, 8% Latino, and 11% Other; 36% were in households that received public assistance; 5% were in households that speak a language other than English at home.

Intervention Group

The Early Identification and Intervention Project was considered a "supplemental program," because it added activities in addition to normal school activities and focused on building self-esteem, academic skills, and leadership skills. It also provided support services such as family outreach and counseling. Specifically, this program was provided for 75 participants in each of the district's four middle schools and included one supplemental course per day implemented as part of regular school. One counselor worked in each school and was specifically assigned to the 75 participants. The participants also took regular courses with other students during the rest of the day.

Comparison Group

Students participated in regular classes and activities.

Support for implementation

Not reported.

 

Your export should download shortly as a zip archive.

This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

Connect With the WWC

loading
back to top