Multiple programs exist to help students on their journey through school. Many programs focus on bridging the transition from home into the early grades of school, while other programs bridge from high school to college. Researchers are only now beginning to look at how the multiple worlds of childrentheir families, peers, schools, community programs, sports, and religious institutionsplay a role in their pathways from from kindergarten to college. Students making lower math grades, compared to higher-achieving students, were more likely to list themselves as the only person providing encouragement with math and speaking up for them at school. For example, one student whose math scores fell in sixth and seventh grades improved her scores and made an A in ninth-grade algebra.
Cooper is in the process of researching factors that help students get back on track.
For example, it could help them see if they are off track, show them how to get back on track, and help them find and use resources to do so. These findings have implications for the range of services that schools and programs can offer to help all students and their families attain their career and educational goals, for themselves and for their communities.