Research Library
Beating the Odds
Author: Ascher, Carol, Maguire, Cindy
Publisher: Annenburg Institute for School Reform
Publication Date: 2007, December
Summary or Abstract: This report describes a follow-up qualitative study of thirteen New York City high schools that have demonstrated success in preparing low-performing ninth-grade students, who generally lack college-going supports in their families, for timely high school graduation and college attendance. This study was designed to understand how these high schools are able to "beat the odds" and suggest how the success of these schools can be maintained and scaled up. The authors began by establishing a framework of practices identified as important to successful graduation and college attendance, particularly for low-performing students. They then searched for evidence of these practices in the BTO schools and investigated whether other practices might also be related to graduation and college attendance.