Axis
Youth Violence Prevention
Problems addressed
School dropout
Low school attendance
Low educational/academic performance

Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

¿Quieres saber más acerca de esta clasificación? Consulte nuestro manual metodológico.

Description

This type of program aims to prevent absenteeism and dropping out of school through activities that strengthen the bond between the student and the school and improve academic performance, especially during the transition between primary and secondary school. Causal factors related to the school itself, the family, the community environment, and the student are addressed.
These programs are often implemented in schools or in the community. Examples of some of their components are: tutoring support, technical vocational education, case management, contingency management, counseling, mentoring, attendance monitoring, parental involvement, class restructuring, and strategies for accessing internships or paid employment for students.

Country of application
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • United States
Evidence

There is a wide range of meta-analyses carried out on school absenteeism and dropout prevention programs, which have included different numbers of studies in different time periods.
Students who participated in dropout prevention programs were observed to have significantly lower dropout rates, as well as higher grades and a higher completion rate, compared to the students in the control group [1] [2].
Students who participated in the prevention programs were also observed to show significantly less absenteeism compared to the students in the control group [1] [3] [4]. There are also positive results in interventions aimed at reducing behavioral problems and, consequently, suspension and expulsion. Students who participated in these interventions were less likely to be suspended or expelled from school compared to students who did not participate [5].

Bibliography

[1] Klima, T., Miller, M., Nunlist, C. (2009). What Works? Targeted Truancy and Dropout Programs in Middle and High School (Documents núm. 09-06-2201). Olympia, WA. Washington State Institute for Public Policy. https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1045/Wsipp_What-Works-Targeted-Trua…

[2] Wilson, S. J., Tanner‐Smith, E. E., Lipsey, M. W., Steinka‐Fry, K., Morrison, J. (2011). Dropout Prevention and Intervention Programs: Effects on School Completion and Dropout among School‐aged Children and Youth. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 7(1), 1–61. https://doi.org/10.4073/csr.2011.8

[3] Tanner-Smith, E. E., Wilson, S. J. (2013). A meta-analysis of the effects of dropout prevention programs on school absenteeism. Prevention Science: The Official Journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 14(5), 468–478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-012-0330-1

[4] Maynard, B. R., McCrea, K. T., Pigott, T. D., Kelly, M. S. (2012). Indicated Truancy Interventions: Effects on School Attendance among Chronic Truant Students. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 8(1), 1–84. https://doi.org/10.4073/csr.2012.10

[5] Valdebenito, S., Eisner, M., Farrington, D. P., Ttofi, M. M., Sutherland, A. (2019). What can we do to reduce disciplinary school exclusion? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 15(3), 253–287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-018-09351-0

Information Source

Evaluated cases

Kids in Transition to School (KITS)

Axis: Youth Violence Prevention
Type: School Dropout Prevention
Effectiveness:

Promising

.

.

.

.

.

Promising
Problem type:
Externalizing behaviors/problems, Low social–emotional competences
Country:
United States
Open

Using Absenteeism Information to "Nudge" Attendance (Philadelphia, PA)

Axis: Youth Violence Prevention
Type: School Dropout Prevention
Effectiveness:

Promising

.

.

.

.

.

Promising
Problem type:
School dropout
Country:
United States
Open

On the Way Home (OTWH)

Axis: Youth Violence Prevention
Type: School Dropout Prevention
Effectiveness:

Promising

.

.

.

.

.

Promising
Problem type:
Family breakdown and/or dysfunctionality, School dropout
Country:
United States
Open

Peer Group Connection (PGC) Program

Axis: Youth Violence Prevention
Type: School Dropout Prevention
Effectiveness:

No Effect

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.

.

.

.

No Effect
Problem type:
Low educational/academic performance, Low social–emotional competences
Country:
United States
Open

Check & Connect

Axis: Youth Violence Prevention
Type: School Dropout Prevention
Effectiveness:

No Effect

.

.

.

.

.

No Effect
Problem type:
Low educational/academic performance, School dropout
Country:
United States
Open

Bolsa Família Program

Axis: Youth Violence Prevention
Type: School Dropout Prevention
Effectiveness:

Promising

.

.

.

.

.

Promising
Problem type:
Homicides, Robberies, Thefts, Crime and delinquency (multiple types), Socioeconomic vulnerability
Country:
Brazil
Open

Why might the cases evaluated have different levels of effectiveness in relation to their respective type of solution?
Click here to understand why.

Some cases were not included in the evidence bank due to deficiencies detected in the methodology of their impact evaluations.
Click here to see the list

 

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