Peer reviewedERIC Number: ED676904
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 78
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Evaluation of Achievement Mentoring: Final Impact Evaluation Report
Katherine Lass1; Sarah Walsh1; Kelly Burgess1; Jeremy Kuperberg Levin1; Eric Jenner1
Grantee Submission
The purpose of this study was to evaluate Achievement Mentoring, a school-based mentoring program designed to enhance high school student retention and achievement once identified as being at-risk for dropping out before graduation. We present findings from an individual-level randomized controlled trial that included 393 10th and 11th-grade students across three cohorts (2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24) from five Eastern states. Students were eligible for the program if they met one of three risk indicators in the prior year (ninth grade): missing 20 or more days of school, failing a core course, and/or incurring three or more disciplinary infractions. Outcomes used to assess impact included school attendance, credits earned, suspensions, and social and emotional outcomes (e.g., perceived support, self-efficacy, decision-making skills). We estimate program impact within an intent-to-treat (ITT) framework, regardless of their actual exposure to the AM intervention. The implementation study aimed to explore the extent to which the AM model was implemented as intended at each study site during the three implementation school years and the amount of programming students assigned to the AM condition received. Benchmark findings at the end of the first time point (10th grade) provide some promising support for the hypothesis that offering regular, individualized mentoring to students who meet one or more risk indicators at the start of 10th grade can improve their academic, behavioral, and social and emotional outcomes. Findings were less robust at the end of the second time point (11th grade), however, we document several limitations at this time point that suggest further research is warranted.
Descriptors: Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, High School Students, Academic Persistence, Academic Achievement, At Risk Students, Dropout Prevention, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 9, Attendance, Academic Failure, Behavior Problems, Discipline, Credits, Suspension, Social Support Groups, Self Efficacy, Adults, Mentors, Peer Relationship, Self Concept, Help Seeking, Goal Orientation, Decision Making
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 10; Grade 11; Grade 9; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) (ED), Education Innovation and Research (EIR)
Authoring Institution: Policy & Research Group (PRG)
Grant or Contract Numbers: U411C190018
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: 1The Policy & Research Group, New Orleans, LA, USA


