STATISTICS

 

 

Since 1992, KICKSTART has hired an outside consultant to evaluate the program. The science-based evaluations measured the program’s impact on student behaviors associated with positive character development and resiliency, academic success/graduation, school attendance and school conduct. Some of these evaluation findings include:

• The KICKSTART program attracts girls and boys in nearly equal percentages
  
  

• The program attracts students in all ethnic groups
  
  

• 75% of the students who begin the program in the 6th grade continue, voluntarily, to enroll throughout middle school
  
  

• KICKSTART students who participated in the program for the three years finish middle school with higher grades and better attendance records
  
  

• 96% of KICKSTART students graduate from high school
  
  

• KICKSTART students who participated in middle school have a lower dropout rate and higher grades during high school
  
  

• Survey results suggest the KickStart students are more likely to refrain from engaging in drug-related activities, and are further along in understanding
  problems associated with drug use
  
  

• Survey results suggest that KickStart activities and participation boost their self-confidence, enhance the respect received from their peers and help them view their overall school experience positively
  
  

• 85% of KICKSTART students’ families attend KickStart school functions compared to an average of 8-10% at a PTA meeting or other school functions
  
  

• KICKSTART students’ parents reported that their children have more self-control and self-confidence because they participated in the program
  
  

• Participating school campus administrators are enthusiastic about the impact of the program at their campuses, and they comment that instructors are productive members of the campus community
  
  

• Houston, Dallas and Galveston Independent School District studies show that drug and gang related peer pressure is the worst on the sixth grade level