Evaluation
The evaluation of the Boston Connects project began in June 2002. Our “process” evaluation attempts to assess the fidelity of implementation of Boston Connects within and across schools, documenting the manner in which the intervention is delivered. Our “product” evaluation documents outcomes for students, for school-based professionals, and for community agency partners. By incorporating a variety of quantitative and qualitative data sources and a range of research methods, the evaluation of Boston Connects aims to assess the impact of the project.
Academic Impact
Report card grades in reading, writing and math revealed significantly greater improvement for BCNX students than for comparison-group students who were never enrolled in Boston Connects. Results of this longitudinal growth curve analysis revealed that the longer children were enrolled in a BCNX school, the greater the gains relative to non-BCNX students. See Figure 1 for an example.
Figure 1. Average longitudinal change in reading report card scores for children who were continuously enrolled in BCNX schools vs. children who were never in BCNX schools
Publications
Walsh, M., DePaul, J., & Park-Taylor, J. (2009). Prevention as a mechanism for promoting positive development in the context of risk: Principles of best practice. In Kenny, M., Horne, A.M., Orpinas, P., & Reese, L.E. (Eds.), Realizing social justice: The challenge of preventive interventions. (pp. 57-78). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Walsh, M.E., Kenny, M.E., Wieneke, K.M. & Harrington, K.R. (2008). The Boston Connects program: Promoting learning and healthy development. Professional School Counseling. 12(2), 166-169.
Walsh, M.E. & DePaul, J. (2008). The essential role of school-community partnerships in school counseling. In H.L.K. Coleman & C. Yeh (Eds.), Handbook of school counseling. (pp. 765-784). Baltimore: MidAtlantic Books & Journals.
Contact Us to request a copy of the full 2007-2008 Boston Connects Report.
