Evaluator's Report on the Lowell Achievement Program 1986-1987.

This report assesses the first year of a school achievement program in Lowell, Massachusetts (Lowell Achievement Program, LAP). The program targeted seventh and eighth grade students who were at risk for dropping out of school. The main goals of the program were to identify these students and to stimulate them to participate in their own learning process so that they would have a better chance to realize their potential. This was to be accomplished by offering remedial instruction, establishing a drop-in center, and providing Saturday and weekend experiences for the students. These students were compared to a control group of students who were not in the program. The findings of the evaluation were the following: (1) students who completed the program were more likely to be minorities than control group students; (2) absenteeism decreased among program students; (3) student attitudes and the number of suspensions among program students showed no difference; and (4) reading scores were improved by the program. More program development and outreach by the staff are recommended. Appendices include questionnaires and interview forms for students and LAP teachers, and the Wisconsin Youth Survey. (VM)