Opportunity NYC-Family Rewards Program Improved Graduation Rates

The Opportunity NYC–Family Rewards program improved participant high school graduation rates, but most of the improvement was among students who were already doing well in high school. Graduation rates increased by 10 percentage points among ninth graders deemed reading-proficient when they entered high school, compared to the control group. About 31% of ninth graders were reading proficient. About 82% of this subgroup graduated within six years. There were few positive effects on school outcomes for non-proficient students. The program did not improve school outcomes for elementary or middle school students.

The program was a three-year privately . . .