College Programs for High-risk and Disadvantaged Students: A Meta-analysis of Findings

Abstract

This meta-analytic synthesis of findings from 60 evaluation studies showed that special college programs for high-risk students have had basically positive effects on students. High-risk students who enrolled in such programs stayed in college somewhat longer than control students did, and they received somewhat better grades in regular college work. Although such program effects were statistically reliable, they were fairly small in size in the typical study. Size of effect varied, however, as a function of the type and the age of the program being evaluated. Size of effect was also a function of document type; effects reported in clearing-house documents were smaller than those in published articles and dissertations.