Early Implementation Outcomes of a Whole-Child School Reform

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 4:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Reimagining What Works: Critical Perspectives on School Effectiveness and Improvement Research

Abstract

This study evaluates early outcomes of a district-wide Whole Child initiative implemented in three cohorts across varying timelines. Using discipline and attendance data from over 30 K-12 schools with approximately 19,000 students, we examined whether longer program exposure is associated with improved student outcomes. Results show that schools with more years of implementation exhibited significantly lower rates of disciplinary incidents and chronic absenteeism. Within-cohort analyses revealed meaningful improvements over time, while between-cohort comparisons supported a dose-response effect. These findings highlight the potential of whole-child, systems-level approaches to improve school climate and engagement, particularly in high-need districts.

Authors

• Yurou Wang, University of Alabama

• Greg Benner, University of Alabama

• Sijia Zhang, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Zhehan Jiang, Peking University