This report presents major findings from an evaluation completed by Youth Development Strategies, Inc. in November 2004. The evaluation, which was uncommon in its scope and longevity, tracked student achievement, instructional strategies, staff and student relationships, and aspects of system-wide change over six years. The study used a range of data collection strategies, including surveys, interviews, classroom observations, student records data and a review of documents.

Was First Things First successful in helping the district meet its goals of improved student performance? An examination of trends in attendance, test scores, and graduation and dropout rates shows improvement between 1998 and 2003. The evaluation examines and describes the extent to which these trends in student outcomes and conditions in schools were related to the implementation of First Things First across the district.

Among the major findings: