Whole School Whole Child Efficacy Study, United States, 2018-2020

The study examines the effectiveness of City Year's Whole School Whole Child (WSWC) model's Tier 2 services in 22 middle schools across five urban school districts before the COVID-19 pandemic. Student Success Coaches deliver universal holistic services and Tier 2 interventions to students identified based on early indicators linked to academic persistence and high school graduation. Using a two-year individual randomized controlled trial (RCT), the study evaluates the impact of Tier 2 services on student outcomes, including math and English Arts Language (ELA) achievement, attendance, social-emotional skills, and suspensions. The sample included 1,276 Grade 6 students randomly assigned to receive Tier 2 services or serve as controls. Results indicate that students offered Tier 2 services did not demonstrate statistically significant improvements in ELA, math, attendance, social-emotional, or behavioral outcomes compared to those not offered Tier 2 services. The study acknowledges limitations, such as disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the complexities of conducting an RCT to assess a multifaceted intervention.