Understanding the Impact of a Ninth-Grade Transition Program in Texas

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) created the Texas Ninth Grade Transition and Intervention (TNGTI) Program to ease the transition of at-risk students into high school and increase the likelihood that they graduate on time and are prepared for college and careers. The comprehensive evaluation conducted by AIR and its partner Gibson Consulting Group found that the program significantly increased the English and mathematics assessment scores of participating students compared to similar students who did not participate in the program.
 

Project Summary

AIR and Gibson Consulting Group conducted an evaluation of the initial year of the Texas Ninth Grade Transition and Intervention Program to understand its effect on student achievement. Prior to rolling out the program statewide, TEA wanted to understand the effect of the program on student achievement.
 

Findings

The comprehensive evaluation found that the program significantly increased the English and mathematics assessment scores of participating students compared to similar students who did not participate in the program. The results of both the summative evaluation and a formative evaluation regarding program implementation provided the Texas Legislature with nuanced contextual information to understand the impact of the program.
 

Methods

AIR used multiple methods to conduct the evaluation, including surveys, interviews, and extant data. Findings are based on information from the following data sources: student data (e.g., grades in core subjects, receipt of intervention services) provided by participating districts; campus progress reports; interviews with district and program staff; a staff survey; and student assessment data. Additional data on participating campuses were obtained from the TNGTI grant applications, district and campus administrative data, and TEA.