Program Outcomes
As the Parthenon Group noted: “Diploma Plus’ success at engaging at-risk youth and providing them with an education is proven, especially in comparison with the historical performance of traditional schools that do not have Diploma Plus’ unique educational approach, strict performance targets, and support structures.” As detailed in our Annual Reports, analysis of the Diploma Plus schools from 2004-07 shows positive impacts and outcomes for students.
Please click here to read a sampling of outcome and impact data from March, 2008.
Please click here to read the most recent Diploma Plus New York City outcomes.
Target Population
- Diploma Plus is serving its intended population — young people who face personal, educational, and economic challenges that make success in a traditional high school setting difficult.
- Most students surveyed reported that they had struggled academically in their prior setting, with some citing poor grades and low skills as reasons they were not successful. Students also experienced personal issues that made attendance and success in school difficult, including unstable living situations, involvement with the criminal justice system, mental health and substance abuse problems, and learning disabilities.
- Most Diploma Plus students come from families with little history of postsecondary education. Only 18 percent of students reported that a parent had completed a postsecondary degree, and only 13 percent reported having a sibling who had graduated from college. Most students did not have family members with experience applying to or attending college.
Improving Academic Performance
There is evidence of significant improvement on the Regents over time. For example:
- Students at Harlem Renaissance increased their passing rate on the English portion of the state exam from 58% in 2005-2006 to 100% in 2007-2008 with 87% of the students exceeding proficiency.
- From 2005-2006 to 2007-2008 students at Harlem Renaissance showed a 21% increase in their passing rate on the Math portion of the state exam
On the 2007-8 Rhode Island state assessment, students at E3 Academy in Providence did significantly better (p<.01) than students at 10 of the 11 other schools in their district on the English portion. The only school that did better was Classical, the Providence Exam School that only admits 30% of applicants
Students' Experience of Diploma Plus
- Across different kinds of DP schools and programs, DP provided students with a positive experience at school and the opportunity to enjoy a level of academic achievement
that was higher than they report achieving at their previous school.
- In surveys, interviews, and focus groups, students were adamant about the importance of having one-on-one attention, caring and committed adults, and individualized instruction,
which are characteristic of all DP programs.
- Students were well aware of the approach that their DP school was taking to help them secure the skills and knowledge they needed to earn their diploma. Where the DP model
was fully developed:
- Competencies provided clearly articulated learning goals that students understood,
- Students appreciated competency-based assessment practices, including the detailed feedback they received about their academic strengths and weaknesses through rubrics and report cards.
- Students recognized the value of presenting their portfolio work to an audience of outsiders and peers.
- Students were overwhelmingly positive about the Plus Phase experience. In particular, they appreciated the close personal attention from their advisor, found the senior projects fun and interesting, and strongly valued the opportunity to take college courses.
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Improving Graduation and Retention Rates
- Across all the East Coast DP sites, we had a graduation rate (from the Plus Phase) of 90.2%.
- Annual retention rate — 83 percent. Specifically of the students enrolled during 2004-2005, 83 percent either graduated, remained in the program through the end of the school year, or left to attend another school or program (i.e., did not drop-out of school). (Note: This data was compiled by Dilpoma Plus Program staff from site reports.)
- 82% of DP graduates across all sites were accepted into and planning to attend college (an equal number for 2 or 4 year schools)
- 75% of students earn a “C” or better in college level courses taken in the Plus Phase
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- 87% of students report they are more interested in college after attending their DP school
Improving Student Engagement and Career Preparation
Based on an online survey completed by students at Diploma Plus schools in the fall of 2007:
Diploma Plus, when fully implemented, with retention rates at the target of 90%, is highly cost effective. The Parthenon Group concludes: DP’s “high performance standards represent a significant improvement over the outcomes of at-risk students in traditional high schools, or even in alternative high schools that do not have the support and high expectations of the Diploma Plus network. These high standards not only result in schools that have better outcomes but also provide greater leverage of the district’s dollar, so that a school district invests less money in generating a successful graduate from high school.”
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