Implementation of the Skills for Secondary Success (4S) Program

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 5:25 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Evaluations of Programs Supporting Students and Families (Table 7)

Abstract

This project addresses the critical issue of improving college- and career-ready high school graduation for underserved youth. Research shows that success in high school is linked to behaviors like regular attendance and non-cognitive skills associated with self-management. This project aims to scale up an 8th grade Skills for Secondary School Success (4S) course designed to increase adolescents’ ability to self-manage their school success and leave 8th grade on-track to high school graduation. Study results indicate that although the 4S curriculum was fully implemented, teachers had difficulty engaging students in the curriculum. Research findings indicated that components of the impact study design may have constrained implementation in ways that could potentially reduce the positive impact of 4S.

Authors

• Marcia H. Davis, Johns Hopkins University

• Christina J Park, SRI International

• Martha Abele Mac Iver, Johns Hopkins University