Institute for Research and Reform in Education (IRRE)

Findings from CSRQ Center Report on Middle and High School Comprehensive School Reform Models:

(1) Overall Effectiveness In "overall effectiveness" FTF was one of only five secondary CSR models to receive a Moderate rating. This was the highest overall rating given to any secondary models.

(2) Research Base The links between the FTF model design and sound research was given a rating of Very Strong, the highest possible rating.

(3) Technical Assistance The FTF model provider received a rating of Very Strong, the highest possible rating, for its readiness to provide the level of professional development and technical assistance needed for successful implementation.

(4) Student Achievement The CSRQ review confirmed that two evaluations of FTF - meeting rigorous standards for research - found evidence of statistically significant positive impacts on student achievement in both reading and mathematics.

a. One study found that reading achievement improvements made by low-SES high school students outpaced their counterparts in comparable schools in the state.

b. The same study found that students of color showed improvements in reading and math that outpaced their counterparts in other comparable schools in the state.

(5) Attendance Consistent improvements in attendance rates were found in one evaluation.

(6) Graduation & Dropout One study reviewed found "steady increases of graduation rates across three cohorts of high school students..." and "steady decreases in high school dropouts..."

(7) Student-Teacher Relationships After three years of FTF implementation one study found drastic increases (82% at the high school level) in the likelihood of students having good relationships with teachers.

(8) Student Support & Teacher Engagement In one district there were significant gains in students' perception of support and teacher engagement after two years of FTF implementation

Additional information and explanation of the CSRQ review and its findings can be found online through the Best Evidence Encyclopedia (BEE) website. The BEE, created and maintained by the Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE) at Johns Hopkins University, is a resource "intended to give educators and researchers fair and useful information about the strength of the evidence supporting a variety of programs available for students in grades K-12." The following link will take you directly to the BEE's summary of the CSRQ review of CSR models: http://www.bestevidence.org/CSR/csr_secondary_summary_9_06.htm#program

The full CSRQ review of CSR models is available online at: http://www.csrq.org/documents/MSHS2006Report_FinalFullVersion01-02 07.pdf

An introductory report titled Works in Progress, is also available through the CSRQ website. Works in Progress surveys of the landscape of middle and high school reform research and practice. This report serves to introduce the Comprehensive School Reform Quality (CSRQ) Center's formal review of evaluation findings from eighteen secondary comprehensive school reform (CSR) models. Included within the report are short descriptions of each CSR model, including First Things First (beginning on p. 98), as well as an inventory of "key issues" addressed across the CSR models reviewed (see p. 91).

The full Works in Progress report is available online at:

http://www.csrq.org/documents/WorksInProgressReport_Web.pdf