ERIC Number: ED319873
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Nov
Pages: 24
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Urban Academy: A Dropout Prevention and Demonstration Project 1988-89. OREA Report.
New York City Board of Education, Brooklyn, NY. Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment.
This report evaluates the effectiveness of the Urban Academy program, a dropout prevention demonstration program involving a collaborative effort between Community School District 10 in the Bronx (New York) and the Victim Services Agency (VSA), a social service agency, to provide increased instructional support and social services to 78 at-risk students attending an alternative middle school. The program combined two main components: (1) a high-interest curriculum based on a mini-school setting which focuses on a hands-on approach to architecture and the urban environment; and (2) the provision of extensive social services to students and their parents. The following topics are discussed concerning the program and its implementation: (1) student selection; (2) program components; (3) the Salvadori Program, which offers an architecture and engineering curriculum; (4) guidance services; (5) community service and student stipend activities; (6) parent involvement and education; (7) staff development; and (8) summer program. This report provides an evaluation of both program implementation and outcomes based on the first six months of its existence. The following findings are discussed: (1) the mean attendance rate for the students in the program remained stable; and (2) students improved their reading scores more than would be expected over a year's time. Recommendations for program improvement are presented. One table is included. (JS)
Descriptors: Attendance, Dropout Prevention, Educational Improvement, Engineering Education, Family Involvement, Guidance Programs, High Risk Students, Intermediate Grades, Junior High Schools, Middle Schools, Nontraditional Education, Program Content, Program Implementation, Reading Achievement, Student Needs, Urban Education
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: New York City Board of Education, Brooklyn, NY. Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment.
Identifiers - Location: New York (New York)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A