WWC review of this study

Preventing Youth Violence and Dropout: A Randomized Field Experiment. NBER Working Paper No. 19014

Heller, Sara; Pollack, Harold A.; Ander, Roseanna; Ludwig, Jens (2013). National Bureau of Economic Research. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED577232

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    2,740
     Students
    , grades
    7-10

Reviewed: September 2017

At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Graduating school outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

4-year high school graduation rate (CACE)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

4 Years

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.41

0.34

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

High school graduation rate (ever) (CACE)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

7 Years

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.47

0.41

No

--

High school graduation rate (ever), transfers counted as graduates (CACE)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

7 Years

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.62

0.58

Yes

 
 
4

High school graduation rate (ever), transfers counted as graduates (ITT)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

7 Years

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.62

0.58

Yes

 
 
4

4-year high school graduation rate (ITT)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

4 Years

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.37

0.34

No

--

High school graduation rate (ever) (ITT)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

7 Years

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.44

0.41

No

--
Staying in School outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Enrollment status (CACE)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.80

0.76

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Enrollment status (CACE)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.92

0.88

No

--

Enrollment status (ITT)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.90

0.88

No

--

Enrollment status (ITT)

Dropout Prevention vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
2,740 students

0.78

0.76

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.


  • Male: 100%

  • Urban
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    Illinois

Setting

The analytic sample was drawn from 18 Chicago Public Schools middle and high schools.

Study sample

Study participants were all male. All students were Black or Hispanic and about one-fifth had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for a learning disability. All students in the sample were considered to be at risk of experiencing poor schooling outcomes and engaging in criminal behavior.

Intervention Group

Students participated in one of three intervention groups of the Becoming a Man (BAM) intervention: an in-school intervention group, an after-school intervention group, or both an in-school and an after-school intervention group. Consistent with the study, this practice guide combines these three intervention groups. The in-school intervention consisted of 27 one-hour weekly sessions during the academic year. The sessions were offered in place of a traditional class during the school day. The instructors were college-educated and were not required to have specialized training. The curriculum components included elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. The after-school intervention consisted of 1- to 2-hour sessions during the academic year. Each session included student participation in non-traditional sports and reflection on their behavior. The after-school coaches were trained in the intervention.

Comparison Group

Students received regular classroom instruction. The authors noted that there was a high level of crossover in which some of the comparison students received the intervention.

Support for implementation

Although instructors were not required to have specialized training, Youth Guidance preferred instructors with training in psychology and social work. The World Sport Chicago coaches who implemented the after-school treatment condition received training in the BAM program.

 

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