Gulfton Truancy Reduction Demonstration Project, Houston, TX

Table 2: Significant Changes in School Engagement Items for Students Who Received Case
Management Services
Question* Scale Pre-Test
Mean
Post-Test
Mean
Description of Results
How many friends do you have
at this school?*
1 = 0 friends
2 = 1-5 friends
3 = 6-10 friends
4 = more than 10 friends
3.72 3.33 Number of friends decreases.
Most of my teachers care about
how I’m doing.
When I read a book, I ask myself
questions to make sure I
understand what it is about.
I get good grades in school.*
If I had to move, I would miss the
neighborhood I now live in.
I feel safe in my neighborhood.*
During the last 3 months, how
often did one of your parents
help you do your homework?*
During the last 3 months, how
often did one of your parents talk
with you about your experience
with other school activities
(sports, lunchtime) that day?
1 = strongly agree
4 = strongly disagree
1 = always
5 = never
1 = always
5 = never
1 = strongly agree
4 = strongly disagree
1 = strongly agree
4 = strongly disagree
1 = never
4 = very often
1 = never
4 = very often
1.89 2.42 Students perceive reduction in
level of teachers’ caring about
them.
.
2.94 3.83 Students ask themselves less
often about reading material.
3.26 2.95 Students perceive
improvement in grades.
1.79 2.16 Students would miss their
neighborhood less if they were
to move.
2.11 2.42 Students feel less safe in their
neighborhood
.
1.74 1.37 Parents help with homework
less often.
2.32 1.84 Parents talk less often with
students about non-curricular
activities.
Evaluation of the Gulfton Truancy Reduction Demonstration Project 20