Contact information:
77 Summer St.
Boston, MA 02110
Website:
www.tsf.org
Mission/Goals: The Foundation helps urban children prepare for
educational opportunities that lead to college.
Notes: The Steppingstone Foundation works with a select group of
students to improve their academic skills and to help them gain access to
and succeed in college-preparatory schools. Steppingstone expects its
Scholars to graduate from their placement schools, and gain acceptance
into and graduate from four-year colleges and universities. The Academy
consists of a 14-month academic preparation component, followed by
comprehensive support services through high school graduation.
Source(s):
www.guidestar.org;
www.tsf.org |
Over 100 |
Grades 5-12 |
Please click here for more information on this evaluation.
Type of Evaluation: Outcomes
Monitoring
Objective: The objective of the study is to learn what participants
and their parents/guardians believe the Steppingstone experience has done
for them and the impact it has had on their lives and educational careers.
The study also strived to understand differences in opinions and
experiences of various groups of Steppingstone participants, and to place
the paths and post-secondary outcomes of Steppingstone Scholars in a
broader context.
Impact/Outcomes: The results of the survey showed that 92 percent
of Scholars attended a placement school (independent or public exam
school) after completing the academic preparation component of the
program. The 8 percent who did not attend a placement school were not
placed because they did not gain admission, or they reported that
transportation to the school made it difficult to attend, they had
financial aid or academic concerns, or they felt they would not fit in at
a placement school. Once the Scholars entered a new school, 56 percent
felt good about their choice and had a relatively easy adjustment, and 91
percent agreed strongly that they "felt academically prepared for
classes." The study also included information on the later educational
progress of 85 percent of participants who were Scholars between 1991 and
1996. Ninety-eight percent of these Scholars had entered a post-secondary
program. This is compared to the national rate of enrollment in four-year
colleges of 45 percent. Steppingstone Scholars in each racial group were
found to be more likely to attend college than a nationally representative
group, and a much higher percentage of Scholars who came from families in
the low- and middle-income categories were attending college than their
peers nationwide. When asked directly what the Scholars believed the
effect of being a Steppingstone Scholar had on their lives, 97 percent
indicated it was either very positive or positive. Ninety-five percent of
the Scholars agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "being a
Steppingstone scholar helped me attend a better school or schools."
Ninety-four percent of Scholars felt that Steppingstone helped them to be
better prepared academically, and 89 percent felt the
program helped them get better grades.
|
No fee. |
