The Effectiveness of Dropout Prevention and Intervention Programs Among K–12 Students: A Meta-Analysis

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Four
  In Roundtable Session: Targeting Interventions to At-Risk Students in Schools (Table 1)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of dropout prevention and intervention programs among K-12 students. A total of 19 experimental studies published between 2010 and 2021 were included, from which 24 effect sizes were extracted. The average random effect size for the dropout intervention programs was estimated as 0.19 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.28). We found that randomly-after-matching designs tend to have larger effect sizes. Behavioral interventions (ES = 0.39) and combined interventions which implemented at least two kinds of intervention strategies (ES = 0.25) performed better than programs focus on academics alone (ES = 0.14) in terms of preventing dropout and promoting graduation rate. These findings may guide educators and schools toward more effective interventions.

Authors

• Qing Wang, University of New Mexico
  Presenting Author

• Yu-Yu Hsiao, University of New Mexico
  Non-Presenting Author

• Carolyn J. Hushman, University of New Mexico
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jan K. Armstrong, University of New Mexico
  Non-Presenting Author