Evaluating the Impact of a Summer Dropout Prevention Program for Incoming Freshmen Attending an Under-Resourced High School

Abstract

Low high school completion rates are an ongoing challenge for educators. This study provides the results of an evaluation of a ninth-grade summer transition program offered at a large public school with a high freshman dropout rate. The evaluation consisted of preprogram and postprogram surveys and interviews with 64 incoming freshman participating in the summer program. Significant gains were shown in participants' Sense of School Belonging and Academic Self-Efficacy. Qualitatively, the data suggest that students gained clarity about their career goals, became better informed about what it takes to become a successful student, connected a diploma to their own career goals, and felt more comfortable in the school and with its teachers. The implications of these findings for prevention of school dropout are discussed.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• ethnic minority youth
• school perceptions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Vera

Elizabeth Vera is a professor in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago. Her current research interests include predicting academic success and well-being of urban, ethnic minority students, and identifying resources to promote positive mental health in English Learners.

David Shriberg

David Shriberg is a professor of education at Loyola University Chicago. His research interests relate to the application of social justice principles to educational and psychological practice.

Alison Alves

Alison Alves is an advanced school psychology PhD student at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests are directed toward improving the educational outcomes of students enrolled in English Language Learner programs and increasing home-school collaboration.

Jessie Montes de Oca

Jessie Montes de Oca is an advanced school psychology PhD student at Loyola University Chicago. His research interests relate to using social justice principles in support of children and families in schools and communities.

Kassandra Reker

Kassandra Reker is an advanced school psychology PhD student at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests include school crisis intervention and trauma.

Meghan Roche

Meghan Roche is an advanced doctoral student in counseling psychology at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests include promoting career development and academic success in adolescents.

Manuel Salgado

Manuel Salgado is an advanced doctoral student in counseling psychology at Loyola University Chicago. His interests include promoting culturally affirming climates in colleges and universities.

Jessica Stegmaier

Jessica Stegmaier is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago's master's program in community mental health. Her research interests include promoting academic success in ethnic minority students.

Lindsay Viellieu

Lindsay Viellieu is an advanced school psychology PhD student at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests include the implementation of social-emotional and public health programming in schools.

Vicky Karahalios

Vicky Karahalios is an advanced school psychology PhD student at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests include home-school-community collaboration and the prevention of youth risk behaviors.

Michael Knoll

Michael Knoll is a graduate of the PhD program in counseling psychology at Loyola University Chicago. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow whose research interests include promoting well-being in incarcerated youth.

Kristen Adams

Kristen Adams is a psychology intern at Arizona State University. Her research interests include promoting mental health in underserved populations.

Yahaira Diaz

Yahaira Diaz is an advanced school psychology PhD student at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests relate to culturally relevant educational practices, race and gender discourse and inequities, and immigration.

Ellen Rau

Ellen Rau is a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at the University of Oregon. Her research interests include Latina/o educational and vocational outcomes, Latina/o sense of community, and immigrant identity development.