TWELVE TOGETHER

 

OVERVIEW

Twelve Together is a peer support and mentoring program offering weekly after-school discussion groups led by trained adult volunteers. Homework assistance, college visits, and an annual weekend retreat are also key components of the program. Designed for middle- and high-school students, the program targets students with poor academic performance or disciplinary problems, placing them at-risk for dropping out of school. An evaluation of the program found it to lack significant impacts on school attendance, school dropout, self-esteem, and math and English achievement.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

 

Target population: Middle- and high-school students with poor school attendance, low academic grades, and/or disciplinary problems.

 

Twelve Together is a peer support and mentoring program consisting of weekly after-school discussion groups led by trained adult volunteers. Designed for middle- and high-school students, the program targets students with poor academic performance, attendance, and/or disciplinary problems. Groups are led by two trained volunteer adult facilitators who moderate discussions. Topics range from personal and family issues to social issues. In addition to engaging in discussion groups, participants pledge to attend class, study regularly, and to work to improve academic grades. Facilitators, usually college students, also provide homework assistance. The program is inaugurated with a weekend camping trip to promote group cohesion and develop teamwork-building skills. The program also provides visits to local college campuses and social events. Estimated costs per student each month are $220.

 

 

EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM

 

Dynarski M, Gleason P, Rangarajan A, Wood R. (1998). Impacts of Dropout Prevention Programs, Final Report. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

 

Evaluated population: The study sample comprised 494 students in 7^th grade with high school absenteeism, low academic grades, and/or disciplinary problems. Students resided in the Sweetwater Union High School District, located in Chula Vista, CA. Among the treatment group, 55% were girls, 53% were Latino, and 20% had a mother with less than a high school education.

 

Approach: Students were randomly assigned to the Twelve Together program (n=259) or to a control group (n=235). Students assigned the control group were permitted to participate in other educational programs. Students were assessed at baseline as well as approximately 18 months and 30 months later. (The first cohort was followed for three years while the second cohort was followed for two years.) Outcomes assessed, through self-reports and school records, included: school attendance, academic grades, school atmosphere, self-esteem, educational aspirations, disciplinary problems, parental involvement in school activities, reading and TV watching, employment history, substance use, and pregnancy. Students also completed survey questions about student and parent characteristics, including age, race, parent’s educational attainment and employment status, and receipt of public assistance.

 

Results:  There were no impacts on school attendance, math grades, or reading or mathematic test grades; there was a marginal negative impact on English grades, with the treatment group having lower English grades. There also was no impact on the dropout rate, but a marginally significant negative impact of grade advancement. Additionally, there were no impacts on self-esteem and certainty of completing high school.

 

There also were no impacts on disciplinary problems, educational aspirations, parental involvement in school, reading, TV watching, recent use of marijuana or other illicit drug use, or pregnancy. There were marginal impacts among the Year 3 cohort; the treatment group was less likely to be employed and was less likely to have used alcohol. Thus, overall this program was found to have no significant impacts.

 

 

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

References

Dynarski M, Gleason P, Rangarajan A, Wood R. (1998). Impacts of Dropout Prevention Programs, Final Report. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

 

 

For more information, please visit the What Works Clearinghouse: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/WWC_Twelve_Together_031207.pdf.

 

 

SUMMARY & CATEGORIZATION

 

Program categorized in this guide according to the following:

 

Evaluated participant age: 7^th grade

 

Program component: School-based

 

Measured outcomes: education and cognitive development; teen pregnancy

 

 

KEYWORDS: Adolescents (12-17), Middle School, School-based, Mentoring, After School Program, Teen Pregnancy, Self-Esteem, Academic Achievement, High School Completion, Cost

 

 

Program information last updated 9/17/09

 

		© Child Trends 2003