Third Party Evaluations

In addition to external studies of GRAD at the national level, third-party evaluations of the work of Project GRAD Knoxville have been conducted:

• 2002-2003 “The Maynard Study:  First Year Formative Report” by Kwame A. Opuni, Ph.D. (Opuni Maynard Study)
• 2007 “Project GRAD Knoxville Final Report” by Eric P. Bettinger, Ph.D., Case Western University Center for Poverty Action (bound copy on file at PGK)
• 2008 “Report and Recommendations from the Project GRAD Schools Evaluation and Planning
• Taskforce”  (aka ‘The Half Time Study’) Half Time Study PDF
• Emerging Evidence on Improving High School Student Achievement and Graduation Rates: The Effects of Four Popular Improvement Programs http://www.betterhighschools.org/topics/GraduationRates.asp 

Progress Toward Goals

Since 2001, three “wildly important goals” (WIGS) have guided the work of Project GRAD Knoxville:  (1) increased academic achievement, (2) increased high school graduation rate, and (3) increased college going (and success) rate.  These goals directly support the Knox County Schools mission of Excellence for All Children and 100-90-90-90 academic target.  Lead indicators underscore the difference Project GRAD Knoxville is helping to make.

Increased academic achievement

• Longitudinal growth in reading and math proficiency http://www.tn.gov/education/assessment/test_results.shtml, Math GAP Analysis (elementary), Math GAP Analysis (middle school), Reading GAP Analysis (elementary), Reading GAP Analysis (middle school)
• Increased positive school climates, decreased negative office referrals Social service needs addressed, increasing academic focus (CFS Annual Report)

Increased high school graduation rate

• Positive change in graduation rates (2001 RATE, 2009 RATE, 2013 GOAL CHART)

Increased college going rate

• Growing Summer Institute participation (TRACKING SUMMER INSTITUTE)
• Growing number of Project GRAD Scholarships awarded since 2005 (2005 – 2011) (Scholarships Graph)
• Growing number of Project GRAD Scholarships claimed (College Support Data)
  • First generation college College Support Data
  • Scholarship recipients attending colleges across the nation (List of Fall 2010 Colleges)
  • Scholarship recipients continue and complete higher education Scholar Retention