The Impact of the Great Start Readiness Program on Retention

• In Event: Roundtable Session 110
  In Roundtable Session: Program Implementation and Outcomes

Abstract

This presentation will describe retention findings from a longitudinal evaluation of the Great Start Readiness Preschool program (GSRP). GSRP provides preschool programs for four-year-old children who may be "at risk" of school failure. Since 1996, the HighScope Educational Research Foundation has been conducting a longitudinal evaluation of the GSRP. This presentation will focus on the impact of the program on grade retention. Research questions answered include: 1) what is the rate of grade retention for GSRP versus non-GSRP participants; and 2) are GSRP participants held back in fewer grades than non-GSRP participants?

Authors

• Kimberly G. Browning, Self-Employed Evaluation Consultant

• Zongping Xiang, HighScope Educational Research Foundation

• Lawrence J. Schweinhart, HighScope Educational Research Foundation