A study of a school admitting students with low academic achievement

Abstract

In order to get a deeper understanding of the factors that influence the process and the quality of program implementation of the Tier 1 program of the project P.A.T.H.S. (secondary 2 curriculum), a school admitting students with low academic achievement that had completed the Tier 1 program was invited to participate in this evaluation study using case study method. Interviews with the project coordinator and school social worker, and focus group interviews with the course instructors, examined their perceptions of the program effectiveness and identified factors that contributed to program success. Generally. the interviewees regarded the program as successful and there were many administrative and "people" factors that facilitated success in the implementation process. The study results suggest key features for a successful program. Based on the findings, the paper discusses the implications of school culture and administrative arrangements for program implementation.