WWC review of this study

How Future Connect is improving college success through comprehensive advising and financial support: Findings from the Future Connect evaluation.

Hodara, M., Gandhi, E., & Yoon, S.Y. (2017). Education Northwest.

  • Quasi-Experimental Design
     examining 
    15,898
     Students
    , grade
    PS

Reviewed: December 2021

At least one finding shows promising evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards with reservations
Academic achievement outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Cumulative GPA

Future Connect vs. Business as usual

2 Semesters

Full sample;
15,898 students

2.50

2.00

Yes

 
 
15
 
Postsecondary degree attainment outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Postsecondary degree or certificate completion

Future Connect vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Full sample;
9,491 students

12.00

7.00

Yes

 
 
14
 
Progressing in College outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

College persistence - enrolled in higher education for another term

Future Connect vs. Business as usual

1 Semester

Full sample;
16,526 students

91.00

66.00

Yes

 
 
34
 

College Level Credits Earned: After 2 Semesters

Future Connect vs. Business as usual

2 Semesters

Full sample;
15,898 students

27.00

18.00

Yes

 
 
23
 
Show Supplemental Findings

College persistence - enrolled in higher education for another year

Future Connect vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
15,473 students

83.00

71.00

Yes

 
 
16

College persistence - enrolled in higher education for another year

Future Connect vs. Business as usual

2 Semesters

Full sample;
11,023 students

77.00

66.00

Yes

 
 
13


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.


  • 4% English language learners

  • Female: 60%
    Male: 40%

  • Urban
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    Oregon
  • Race
    Asian
    14%
    Black
    16%
    Native American
    2%
    Other or unknown
    43%
    White
    25%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    40%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    60%

Setting

This program takes place at Portland Community College (PCC) in Portland, Oregon.

Study sample

For the outcome "credits earned in the first year" descriptive characteristics are as follows for the intervention (n=1,058) and comparison groups (n=14,840). Of the students in the sample who participated in Future Connect, 61% were female, 13% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 2% were American Indian, and 17% were Black; 39% were Latino; and 87% received free or reduced-price lunch in high school. Of the students in the matched comparison group, 60% were female, 14% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 2% were American Indian, and 16% were Black; 40% were Latino; and 88% received free or reduced-price lunch in high school.

Intervention Group

To be eligible for Future Connect, students must graduate from a high school or earn a GED in Multnomah County, Hillsboro School District, Beaverton School District, or other regions in the PCC district supported through state funding. Students received ongoing financial and advising support for as long as they are enrolled at PCC. Students received a last-dollar scholarship, up to $3,400 per year, that covered the cost of tuition after other federal and state financial aid while enrolled at PCC. They also received transportation assistance (bus tickets) and as-needed emergency and housing support. Students participated in a summer orientation program. They were paired with a college success coach beginning in April of their senior year of high school who provides ongoing, individualized support and advising. Each college success coach had a caseload of 70 to 120 students. Coaches met with students three times in the summer, 2.5 hours/week in the college and career success class (each semester), and in one-hour monthly check-ins. The fall college and career success class is focused on college success and the spring class is focused on career development. Future Connect provides other services to help students achieve their academic and career goals including leadership opportunities and transfer support.

Comparison Group

The comparison group are business-as-usual students who entered PCC between 2010 and 2016 but did not participate in the Future Connect program.

 

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