Project Activities
Research question
- What was the effectiveness of offering one year of the academic program (reading or math)? Did program implementation and the one-year impact improve in a second year of operation?
- What was the effectiveness of offering two years of the academic program (reading or math)?
- What was the association between receiving the academic program (reading or math) for two consecutive years and math achievement?
Structured Abstract
Design
The evaluation consisted of two parallel studies at the elementary school level (25 programs for each study, one testing the math program—Harcourt Math—and one testing the reading program—Success for All). The evaluation initially included 1,000 students who were randomly assigned to receive treatment and 1,000 to receive the typical support (e.g., general help in a variety of subjects). A subset of the sites continued the program for a second year in which students were randomly assigned a second time to receive one year of treatment in the first year of program operation; to receive one year of treatment in the second year of program operation; to two years of services; and to zero years of the academic program.
Key findings
- There was a positive impact on math achievement for students offered one year of the math program. Two years of the math program resulted in no difference between those offered and those not offered the math program.
- There was no impact on reading comprehension achievement for students offered one year of the reading program. Two years of the reading program resulted in less gains in reading achievement for those offered relative to those not offered the reading program.
People and institutions involved
IES program contact(s)
Products and publications
The final report, titled The Evaluation of Enhanced Academic Instruction in After-School Programs: Final Report, was released in September 2009.
Other publications from this study are listed below.
A restricted-use file containing de-identified data is available for the purposes of replicating study findings and secondary analysis.
Questions about this project?
To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.
