Innovations for Improving College and Career Readiness in Rural Schools: Final Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) Grant Evaluation Results

• In Event: 72.048 - Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: 72.048-10 - Evaluating Strategies for Creating Equal Opportunities for College Readiness

Abstract

In Fall 2010, the Niswonger Foundation received a five-year validation grant from the Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) to create the Northeast Tennessee College and Career Ready Consortium of 29 high schools and five colleges. The Consortium aims to improve students’ college and career readiness by scaling up local promising practices including providing distance and online learning, forming college partnerships to increase dual enrollment, offering professional development for teachers, and providing college and career counseling to students. This paper will discuss impact and implementation results from the full five years of the evaluation, which includes evidence of positive impacts on college and career readiness, and may inform groups in rural settings interested in implementing similar initiatives.

Authors

• Christine Mokher, Florida State University

• Steve Sungchu Lee, Center for Naval Analysis

• Christopher M. Sun, CNA