Impact of The NTN Design on Academic Outcomes

Abstract

The effect of the New Tech Network (NTN) design on several academic measures was tested on ninth graders in four schools in the Southeastern United States. Results suggest that, when implemented with fidelity to the model, there is a significant effect of the NTN treatment on achievement test scores as students in NTN schools scored higher on both the End of Course (EOC) Math and ELA tests compared to students in control schools. This effect remained after controlling for Poverty, Race, and Preexisting Achievement Level. Students in NTN schools also were slightly more likely to earn dual credit compared to students in the control schools. However, there was no effect of the NTN treatment on dropout rate and students in NTN schools were more likely to be retained in their current grade level compared to students in the control schools.