Today, the Department of Education announced a new study to examine best practices and outcomes in the Upward Bound program. This study is being conducted in accordance with the 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which outlawed the previous evaluation of Upward Bound – the Absolute Priority – due to its unethical design and impact. The lead researchers from the Department addressed the entire COE Board of Directors at their Winter Board Meeting to outline the new study and solicit Board Members’ feedback. The research team emphasized that the purpose of the study is not to determine the effectiveness of Upward Bound, but rather to examine the most promising practices found within the program. Board Members offered suggestions for improving program design and also noted the need to consider certain demographics.
The Federal Register announcement is available here: http://origin.www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-01-04/pdf/2010-33186.pdf. Copies of the proposed data collection materials, such as the Parental Consent Form and Student Focus Group Protocols are available here: http://edicsweb.ed.gov/browse/downldatt.cfm?pkg_serial_num=4471. The deadline for submitting comments to the Department regarding these materials is March 7, 2011. If you would like any assistance or otherwise have questions or concerns, please contact Kimberly Jones ([log in to unmask]) or Angelica Vialpando ([log in to unmask]) by e-mail or phone (202.347.7430).