Treffer: Project UP-START Program for Youth and Children in Transition Evaluation Report, 2023-2024

Title IX of the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) provides the Department of Education with funds to award grants to enable states and districts to deliver services to families living in unstable housing situations. The Project UP-START Program (Project UP-START) is a District program designed to identify students living in unstable housing and to ensure their academic success and access to appropriate educational placements. Funded through Title I, Part A Homeless Set-Aside and IX, Part A, it is comprised of three main components: identification, attendance, and academic assistance. This evaluation report examines the implementation of the program and the impact of the services provided as specified by the grant, as well as the opinion of stakeholders. There was a statistically significant difference in the retention and dropout rates for homeless students, such that both rates were higher compared to non-homeless students. The Homeless Student Grade Promotion Rates and High School Promotion Rates were well above 90%, which is considered high as specified in the grant application. No significant differences were found in the high school completion rates of homeless and non-homeless students. Overall, results from the 2023-24 evaluation indicate that improvements were made regarding attendance rates and retention rates of homeless students.

ERIC