The Better Futures study is an initial efficacy study on the topic of postsecondary education. The overarching goal is to assess the efficacy of the Better Futures postsecondary access program for youth with foster care experience in increasing postsecondary enrollment, persistence, performance, and progress through a fully powered, multi-site randomized controlled trial. If found to be effective, it would be one of the only evidence-based practices improving postsecondary outcomes for foster youth. This project addresses the Education Research Grant Program\u2019s area of needed research in postsecondary education of \u201celiminating attainment gaps between low-income and historically disadvantaged learners and their peers\u201d, in this case youth in foster care [who are also disproportionally youth of color and economically disadvantaged; by assessing the efficacy of an \u201cinitiative that support[s] learners\u2019 ability to navigate into and through their education programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better Futures is delivered over approximately 10 months (starting in summer, any time after junior year of high school but before youth enroll in a postsecondary program) and consists of three core components: (1) A three-day, two-night Summer Institute held at a university campus; (2) individual coaching twice a month using a structured self-determination skills guide and a set of postsecondary preparation experiences; and (3) workshops including \u201cnear-peer\u201d college students with lived experience in foster care. The intervention commences with 1-2 introductory coaching meetings which orient youth to the program and help them begin to identify their strengths and generate initial ideas for postsecondary education. Youth then attend the Summer Institute where they learn about a wide range of postsecondary education options and further explore their personal interests. Over the course of the academic year, participants resume coaching to build on these initial goals and establish more specific steps and timelines, and they attend five skill-building workshops about relevant postsecondary topics. Combined, these components deliver both general and individualized information, opportunities, skills, and support to address known barriers to postsecondary participation among foster youth, including inadequate academic preparation, not meeting high school graduation requirements, limited exposure to information about postsecondary options, and limited support around managing academic challenges, applying for postsecondary programs, and understanding financial aid as well as foster youth-specific support and resources for higher education.
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