Accelerated Middle School Programs: Preliminary Indicators of Long-Term Academic Benefits for Over-age Youth

Abstract

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, dropping out is a persistent problem among 15- to 24-year-olds. Researchers have noted school districts that have been able to improve graduation rates have often done so through the “development of innovative models and pathways that help young people get back on track to graduation” One such innovative model, an accelerated middle school intervention, is currently implemented across five middle schools in a large southeastern school district. The program targets students at-risk for dropping out based on characteristics such as age, mobility, poverty and previous retention in grade and allows them to complete both 8th and 9th grade requirements within one school year. To date, about 88% of students who completed the intervention during their last year of middle school were able to transition to high school as 10th grade students. This study presents findings from the students who completed this intervention between 2011–12 and 2015–16, representing the first five years the program was in existence. A quasi-experimental design is used to analyze outcomes related to attendance, course completion and graduation. Results indicate that students who complete the intervention are 34% more likely to graduate high school than the matched comparison group. However, no significant differences existed in student attendance rates while in high school. The findings indicate this program has the potential to improve graduation rates for students at-risk of dropping out provided the intervention occurs early enough in their academic career.