Assessing the Effects of a Community-Based College Preparation Program on the Academic Performance and Noncognitive Factors of Middle School Students

This study examines the intermediate effects of a community-based college preparation program in a fast growth, high-needs exurban district in Texas. Participants and a matched group of nonparticipants were compared on a variety of academic and noncognitive measures. Findings indicate program participation is associated with higher scores on the state reading assessment and self-reported expectations of college graduation but do not fully explain the previously documented long-term impact of the program. Using a developmental systems perspective, the authors illustrate interactions between multiple ecological contexts and how this approach can be useful when investigating the efficacy of college preparation programs.