The Effectiveness of Dropout Intervention Programs among K-12 Students: A Meta-Analysis

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Effectiveness of Dropout Intervention Programs among K-12 Students: A Meta-Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Qing Wang (ORCID 0009-0001-0097-1339), Yu-Yu Hsiao (ORCID 0000-0001-9296-4517), Carolyn Hushman (ORCID 0000-0003-0227-0437), Jan Armstrong (ORCID 0000-0002-2577-3785)
Source: Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk. 2025 30(3):193-223.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 31
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
High Schools
Descriptors: Dropout Programs, Dropout Prevention, Program Effectiveness, Intervention, Elementary Secondary Education, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Program Descriptions, Participant Characteristics, Educational Research, Research Design, Foreign Countries, Effect Size, High School Graduates, Educational Attainment
Geographic Terms: North America
DOI: 10.1080/10824669.2024.2342779
ISSN: 1082-4669
1532-7671
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dropout intervention programs among K-12 students. A total of 26 empirical studies published between 2010 and 2022 were included, from which 31 effect sizes were extracted. The average effect size for the dropout intervention programs on increasing high school completion was estimated as 0.19 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.28). We found that both nonrandomly assigned but matched designs and randomly assigned designs tended to have larger effect sizes compared to nonrandom designs. Behavioral interventions (ES = 0.33) and combined interventions that implemented at least two kinds of intervention strategies (ES = 0.31) performed better than programs focused on academics alone (ES = 0.12) in terms of preventing dropout and promoting graduation rate. We suggest educators and policymakers include behavioral components when developing intervention programs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493871
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dropout intervention programs among K-12 students. A total of 26 empirical studies published between 2010 and 2022 were included, from which 31 effect sizes were extracted. The average effect size for the dropout intervention programs on increasing high school completion was estimated as 0.19 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.28). We found that both nonrandomly assigned but matched designs and randomly assigned designs tended to have larger effect sizes compared to nonrandom designs. Behavioral interventions (ES = 0.33) and combined interventions that implemented at least two kinds of intervention strategies (ES = 0.31) performed better than programs focused on academics alone (ES = 0.12) in terms of preventing dropout and promoting graduation rate. We suggest educators and policymakers include behavioral components when developing intervention programs.
ISSN:1082-4669
1532-7671
DOI:10.1080/10824669.2024.2342779