Impacts of Attending a Deeper Learning Network High School on College Enrollment and Degree Completion

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: College Access, Choice, and Transitions (Table 17)

Abstract

In this study, we examined impacts of attending deeper learning network high schools–public schools that support the development of students’ cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills– on college enrollment and degree completion outcomes six years after expected high school graduation. Study participants included 17,475 students across four cohorts who attended matched pairs of high schools in New York City (NYC) and California starting in 2007-08 through 2010-11. Although findings indicate that attending deeper learning network high schools did not positively impact college enrollment outcomes in general, we observed positive impacts on bachelor’s degree completion in NYC and negative impacts on bachelor’s degree completion in California. Further exploration of the data will uncover potential explanations for these observed differences between states.

Authors

• Kristina L. Zeiser, American Institutes for Research

• Elaine Yang, American Institutes for Research

• Catherine Sousa Bitter, American Institutes for Research