National Studies Find Trio Programs Effective At Increasing College Enrollment And Graduation

Since 1997, four national studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Education have been completed on the Federal TRIO programs. Data from these studies demonstrate that participation in a TRIO program has a significant impact on the educational outcomes of low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities. This paper provides overviews of the following national studies: (1) Westat's assessment report to the U.S. Department of Education on the impact of Student Support Services (SSS); (2) Mathematica Policy Research's assessment report to the U.S. Department of Education on the impact of Talent Search on secondary and postsecondary outcomes in Texas, Indiana, and Florida; (3) Mathematica Policy Research's assessment report to the U.S. Department of Education on the impact of Upward Bound on postsecondary outcomes; and (4) Mathematica Policy Research's assessment report to the U.S. Department of Education on the impact of Upward Bound Math-Science on postsecondary completion, performance, enrollment, and participation in math and science coursework both at the high school and postsecondary level. (Contains 6 footnotes.).