This paper evaluates the Jumpstart Program (JSP), a parenting intervention implemented by a school district in the Houston area to enhance school readiness among economically disadvantaged three-year-old children. Unlike many early childhood programs typically tested in controlled research settings, JSP leverages existing school district resources…

The purpose of this study was about how nonprofit organizations can provide effective career development programs for the vulnerable and underserved people, resulting in employment and assisting them with being self-sufficient in Houston, Texas, as well as the surrounding geographical region. The study was based on qualitative research data…

Maintaining healthy cognitive functioning and delaying cognitive decline in cognitively intact and cognitively impaired adults are major research initiatives for addressing dementia disease burden. Music interventions are promising, non-pharmaceutical treatment options for preserving cognitive function and psychological health in older adults with…

Objectives: To describe the participants of a university-based COVID-19 contact tracing course and determine whether the course changed knowledge, attitudes, and intention to participate in contact tracing. Participants: Faculty, staff, and students were eligible. Methods: Surveys evaluated the impact of the course on participant intentions to…

This is an evaluation of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program. The FACE program is designed to support parent and schools and promote effective family and community engagement in every HISD school. FACE provides or promotes training and professional development, community partnerships,…

Research suggests that takeovers are not a silver bullet for improving struggling school systems. State takeovers of school districts have happened in all major regions of the country but disproportionately affect some types of communities more than others. There are two main reasons states typically give for enacting takeover: low academic…

Teacher leadership is essential for increasing teacher quality, addressing teacher turnover, and ultimately improving student learning. In this paper, we describe a teacher leadership program that developed 14 secondary mathematics teacher leaders. The quantitative data from the assessments and surveys indicate improvement of knowledge for…

Competitive debate programs exist across the globe, and participation in debate has been linked to improved critical thinking skills and academic performance. However, few evaluations have been able to adequately address self-selection into the activity when examining its impact on achievement. This study evaluated the relationship between…

The Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program operates as the Texas Afterschool Centers on Education (Texas ACE). Texas ACE strives to improve student attendance, behavior, and academics, while providing a safe supplemental learning environment for students and families who otherwise would not have such opportunities.…

Many students attend a pre-kindergarten (pre-K) program outside of their neighborhood school, but there is no evidence that making this choice is associated with subsequent student readiness for kindergarten. In the Houston Independent School District (HISD), pre-K is not zoned, which means families can request to enroll their children on any…

Texas requires school districts to provide specialized linguistic programs (Texas Education Code, Chapter 29, Subchapter B 29.051) to meet the needs of students who are English learners (EL). These programs are intended to facilitate ELs' integration into the regular school curriculum and ensure access to equal educational opportunities. The…

Tracking and using data to inform decisions pays off for college success programs on multiple levels. Having data allows program staff to monitor the progress of individual students and tailor support to their particular needs. It enables staff to understand the effectiveness of program activities and make improvements as necessary. Most…

Abt Associates evaluated the Bridges to Career Opportunities (BCO) program, developed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), to determine whether adults with low incomes and low skills who participate in BCO services are more likely to increase their employment and financial stability than do adults who participate in LISC's…

This chapter describes how the "teach"HOUSTON program, the University of Houston's secondary STEM teacher preparation program developed strategic endeavors to build leadership capacity with the program's alumni. Since "teach"HOUSTON's conception in 2007, nearly 300 graduates have entered classrooms in high-needs school…

Introducing high school students to primary scientific literature in an accessible format fosters early scientific literacy and critical thinking. The AI-guided Scientist-mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education (ASPIRATION) program was developed to teach these skills through the creation of infographics. Over eight weeks,…