MDRC K-12 Education Publications

Make Me a Match: Helping Low-Income and First-Generation Students Make Good College Choices

Too many low-income, college-ready students are undermatching enrolling in colleges for which they are academically overqualified or not going to college at all. Early results from the College Match Program in three Chicago high schools suggest that its possible to help students navigate the complicated college application process and make more informed decisions.

Sustained Positive Effects on Graduation Rates Produced by New York Citys Small Public High Schools of Choice:

A rigorous study that takes advantage of lottery-like features in New York Citys high school admissions process demonstrates that new small public high schools that are open to students of all academic backgrounds have substantial impacts on rates of graduation with Regents diplomas for every disadvantaged subgroup of students that was examined.

Professional Development for Teachers: What Two Rigorous Studies Tell Us

This synthesis reviews findings from two rigorous, large-scale evaluations the Professional Development in Reading Study and the Middle School Mathematics Professional Development Impact Study. Both interventions had only limited effects on teachers knowledge and instruction and no impacts on students test scores. The report ends with suggestions about how professional development might be improved to achieve better results.

Issue Focus: Webinar: The Implications of New Findings on NYCs Small High Schools Initiative

Issue Focus: Frequently Asked Questions About MDRCs Study of New Small High Schools in New York City

On January 25, MDRC released the latest findings from its ongoing study of new, small, academically nonselective high schools in New York City, which showed substantial impacts on rates of graduation for disadvantaged students. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions weve heard about the study.

Issue Focus: The College Match Program: An Innovative College Advising Strategy for Low-Income and Minority Students

Evidence suggests that students are most likely to succeed when they attend the most academically demanding institution that will admit them. Unfortunately, too many low-income high school students choose a college for which they're overqualified. In Chicago, a new pilot program helps students and their families navigate the complicated college application process and make more informed decisions.

VIDEO: Making Progress Toward Graduation: Evidence from the Talent Development High School Project

MDRCs study of Talent Development, a program meant to lower dropout rates and increase academic success in low-performing high schools, produced encouraging results. In this seven-minute video, researcher Corinne Herlihy summarizes the findings.

VIDEO: Career-Related Experiences in High School Can Help Students Earn More Later

Career Academies, a high school reform initiative, produced large, long-term increases in the earnings of young men. This short video summarizes the latest findings.

Fast Fact: Ninth-Grade Attendance Rates Predict High School Graduation

Fast Fact: Closing the Aspirations-Attainment Gap for Urban High School Students

Fast Fact: First Things First School Reform Initiative Increases Student Achievement in Kansas City