New Study Shows That with Academic Outcomes and Dropout Prevention, It's Not Just...

New Study Shows That with Academic Outcomes and Dropout Prevention, It's Not
Just What You Do, It's How You Do It

Communities In Schools Releases Results of Seven-State Study That Shows
Improvement in Math, Reading and Graduation Rates is Linked to Integrated
Service Provision

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Communities In Schools,
the nation's largest dropout prevention organization, has released initial
results from the midpoint of its five-year longitudinal study. The study,
conducted by ICF International, a global consulting and research firm, has
produced three major findings. One of the most notable findings is that the
Communities In Schools Model of providing integrated student services has a
stronger impact on school-level outcomes than providing services for students
in an uncoordinated fashion.

"We are thrilled to have this external validation of our work," says Daniel J.
Cardinali, president, Communities In Schools, Inc. "For more than 30 years,
we've been working inside schools and seeing incredible results among some of
the country's most underserved students. Now, we have scientific evidence
that our particular approach to improving student achievement is really making
a difference."

For more than three decades, Communities In Schools has been working in
partnership with public schools, integrating the services that students need
to stay in school and achieve high academic outcomes. Services such as
tutoring, mentoring, after-school programs, career development, financial
literacy, community service and life skills development are coordinated
through a single point of contact at the school. Resources are then tailored
to the school and the student, and also linked to academic outcomes. This
coordinated, integrated way of serving the whole child is the hallmark of the
Communities In Schools Model, which is now proven to produce better outcomes.

The study is based on a comparative analysis of more than 1,200 schools--half
of which implemented the Communities In Schools Model and half of which did
not. The states of Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan,
Washington, and Pennsylvania were selected for the study because they comprise
the largest concentration of Communities in Schools affiliates in the nation.
The findings in this study exceed the U.S. Department of Education standards
for showing a substantial impact. Additional findings include:

-- Among similar research-based dropout prevention organizations, the
Communities In Schools Model is one of the few proven to actually keep
students in school. It is also the only program among this small group of
organizations that is proven to increase graduation rates. When measured
against the comparison group, of every 1,000 students at a Communities In
Schools high-implementing school,* 36 more high school students remain in
school and 48 more graduate on time with a regular diploma.
-- When implemented with fidelity, the Communities In Schools Model produces a
higher percentage of students reaching proficiency in fourth- and eighth-grade
reading and math. At high implementing* Communities In Schools schools, of
every 1,000 elementary students, 53 more attain proficiency in math and 20
more attain proficiency in reading. For every 1,000 middle school students,
60 more achieve proficiency in math and 49 more achieve proficiency in
reading.
-- When the Communities In Schools Model* of integrated student services is
effectively implemented, there is a strong correlation with positive
school-level outcomes like dropout and graduation rates. This correlation is
much stronger than when services are provided in an uncoordinated fashion.
The study confirms that when combined, the elements of the CIS Model,
including the presence of a school-based site coordinator, enhance the
effectiveness of prevention and intervention services.

About Communities In Schools -- Communities In Schools is the nation's largest
dropout prevention organization, working in more than 3,200 K-12 public
schools. Founded in 1977, Communities In Schools is headquartered in
Alexandria, Va. Today, nearly 1.2 million young people every year receive
direct services through nearly 200 Communities In Schools local affiliates in
27 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 80 to 90 percent of our
tracked students show improvement in academic achievement, attendance,
behavior and promotion to the next grade level.

About ICF International -- The evaluation contractor for this project is ICF
International. ICF International brings nearly 40 years of experience in
evaluating social, environmental, security, defense, energy and transportation
programs, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. ICF is an
established and respected partner of the U.S. Department of Education, and has
a portfolio of clients that include state and federal government agencies, and
domestic and international for-profit and nonprofit organizations. ICF is
known for their high standards of rigor, comprehensive research designs and
outstanding evaluation.

*High-implementing schools, as defined in this study, refer to Communities In
Schools (CIS) schools that implement every aspect of the CIS Model. The CIS
Model of integrated student services includes the following core elements:
(1) the presence of a CIS school-based, on-site coordinator; (2) a
comprehensive school- and student-level needs assessment; (3) a community
asset assessment and identification of potential partners; (4) annual plans
for school-level prevention and individual intervention strategies; (5) the
delivery of appropriate combinations of widely accessible prevention services
and resources for the entire school population, coupled with coordinated,
targeted and sustained intervention services and resources for individual
students with significant risk factors; and (6) data collection and evaluation
over time, with monitoring and modifications of services offered to individual
students and/or the entire school population.

Communities In Schools National Office
277 South Washington Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314 * Telephone
800-CIS-4KIDS * e-mail: cis@cisnet.org
http://www.cisnet.org * http://www.lunchwithaleader.org/

SOURCE Communities In Schools

Deborah Veney Robinson of Communities In Schools, +1-703-518-2545;
+1-703-615-5476, robinsond@cisnet.org