At Challenge Denver, we’re committed to ongoing evaluation of our impact on indicators that we know contribute to healthy school culture and that are predictive of high school graduation. As a result, we carefully measure our short and long-term impact in the areas of behavior, attendance and academic outcomes. School-based data collected at partner schools over five years indicates that our programming supports the following:
An average of a 40% reduction in instances of negative student behavior, according to school-based behavior data.
An average of 50+ additional hours of class attended per student due to increased attendance and decreased tardiness.
Overall gains in academic outcomes, ranging from increased average GPA, higher graduation rates, and school-wide rating improvement on the School Performance Framework.
Our approach is rooted in the widely-respected research of the Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL). Our programs work to teach, support and measure growth in the following critical areas of social emotional learning and development, which are proven to positively impact strong academic and life outcomes:
- Self-Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Social Awareness
- Conflict Resolution
- Healthy Decision-Making
Data from the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP), a tool used to measure social emotional skill growth in adolescents, shows statistically significant growth in these key areas for students who engage with Challenge Denver programming for one year or more.
Students who received our programming increased from "low/vulnerable" to "adequate/average" on the DAP scale in positive identity and self-awareness within one year.
Students who received our programming Increased from "low/vulnerable" to "adequate/average" in relationship skills and sense of community within one year.