Texas A&M University–San Antonio Pilot Study
In the fall of 2016, Yes! Our Kids Can and Texas A&M University–San Antonio set up a partnership to test the efficacy of an application and curriculum aimed towards young children to help them set up goals for post-secondary opportunities. Dr. Theresa Garfield and Dr. James Jurica collected data through several means: a parent and student feedback session in December 2016, during which there was a consumer research team present; a second parent and child feedback session in January 2017; and the pilot study pre-survey and post-survey involving parents, students, and teachers conducted in April and May 2017.
After a six-week YOKC implementation period involving all primarily English-speaking first grade students at one rural school, researchers analyzed the quantitative and qualitative data. Primary analyses yielded an increase in parent perceptions of the importance of college attendance on the life of the family, a decrease in the percentage of parents who felt they needed help to prepare their child for college which may demonstrate an increase in college preparedness perceptions, and a decrease in parent perception of whether parents felt their kids needed to stay home while attending college.
Student Survey Topline Results
Wrote the names of Colleges & Universities
Know what college is
Know what a degree is
Talk to parents about college
Know what skills are
Student Survey Topline Results
Wrote the names of Colleges & Universities
Know what college is
Know what a degree is
Talk to parents about college
Know what skills are
In the fall of 2016, Yes! Our Kids Can and Texas A&M University–San Antonio set up a partnership to test the efficacy of an application and curriculum aimed towards young children to help them set up goals for post-secondary opportunities. Dr. Theresa Garfield and Dr. James Jurica collected data through several means: a parent and student feedback session in December 2016, during which there was a consumer research team present; a second parent and child feedback session in January 2017; and the pilot study pre-survey and post-survey involving parents, students, and teachers conducted in April and May 2017.
After a six-week YOKC implementation period involving all primarily English-speaking first grade students at one rural school, researchers analyzed the quantitative and qualitative data. Primary analyses yielded an increase in parent perceptions of the importance of college attendance on the life of the family, a decrease in the percentage of parents who felt they needed help to prepare their child for college which may demonstrate an increase in college preparedness perceptions, and a decrease in parent perception of whether parents felt their kids needed to stay home while attending college.
There was a significant numerical gain in the number of students who could recall the names of colleges and mascots of colleges (particularly those used in the YOKC program). Students recalled what a college degree was and what skills they need to be successful in school.
There was an increase in the number of students who talked to their parents about college. An overwhelming 95 percent of students in the post-survey said they would go to college.
There were statistically significant pre-and post-differences in students who said they would go to college, in students who thought they were smart and in students who felt they worked hard in school.
“The Parents have communicated more this year than I’ve ever had before in my 32 years of teaching.”
– Mrs. Raymond, 1st Grade Somerset Elementary School Teacher
“Thank you for doing this and preparing our children for college. I wouldn’t know where to start – now I do.”
– Somerset Elementary School Parent
* One of the highest attended 1st grade events at Somerset ISD.
There was a significant numerical gain in the number of students who could recall the names of colleges and mascots of colleges (particularly those used in the YOKC program). Students recalled what a college degree was and what skills they need to be successful in school.
There was an increase in the number of students who talked to their parents about college. An overwhelming 95 percent of students in the post-survey said they would go to college.
There were statistically significant pre-and post-differences in students who said they would go to college, in students who thought they were smart and in students who felt they worked hard in school.