Do Schools Make a Difference? A Study of High School Effects and First Year College Success

Schools across America are being ranked for their effectiveness on a number of student criteria, among them preparation of students for a successful college experience. This study investigates the relationship between graduating seniors, their successful first year retention in college and several personal and school related factors. The study also explores the relationships between school accountability rankings and the demographics of the respective schools in an effort to assess school effect sizes for student growth, a mandate of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Nearly 11,000 high school seniors from more than 280 schools were included in the analyses. When taken collectively, results from the study indicate that school accountability rankings provide little predictive value when assessing successful first year college retention. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)