Abstract
The authors investigated the impact of a manualized high school transition program, the Peer Group Connection (PGC) program, on the graduation rate at a low-income, Mid-Atlantic high school. The program utilized 12th-grade student peer leaders to create a supportive environment for incoming ninth-grade students. Results of a randomized control trial demonstrated that male students who participated in the program during Grade 9 were significantly more likely to graduate from high school within 4 years than male students in the control group (81% vs. 63%). Findings suggest that peers can be effective in delivering a school-based, social emotional learning intervention and that it is possible to intervene in Grade 9 to influence the probability of high school graduation.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 186-196 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Educational Research |
Volume | 107 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 4 May 2014 |
Keywords
- dropout prevention
- high school transition
- peer leadership
- peer mentoring
- social and emotional learning