A Meta-Analysis of the Predictors of On-Time High School Graduation in the United States

• In Event: Organizational Effects Influencing Teachers and Student Outcomes

Abstract

There is a recognized need for improving the on-time high school graduation in US, yet, the on-time graduation rate remains low. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in exploring the factors associated with on-time high school graduation. However, no systematic review or meta-analysis had been conducted on this topic. The current meta-analysis reviewed 54 articles and aggregated the effect of 18 factors in four dimensions: student background, family support, school program and support, and school climate, with a focus on school-related practices, policies and programs. After calculating the odds ratio of those factors, 12 factors along various dimensions had statistically significant positive or negative effects on on-time graduation. These findings provide a solid evidence base for future studies.

Authors

• yunzheng zheng, Western Michigan University

• Jianping Shen, Western Michigan University