Work

A Program for At-Risk High School Students Informed by Evolutionary Science

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Improving the academic performance of at-risk high school students has proven difficult, often calling for an extended day, extended school year, and other expensive measures. Here we report the results of a program for at-risk 9th and 10th graders in Binghamton, New York, called the Regents Academy that takes place during the normal school day and year. The design of the program is informed by the evolutionary dynamics of cooperation and learning, in general and for our species as a unique product of biocultural evolution. Not only did the Regents Academy students outperform their comparison group in a randomized control design, but they performed on a par with the average high school student in Binghamton on state-mandated exams. All students can benefit from the social environment provided for at-risk students at the Regents Academy, which is within the reach of most public school districts.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027826

Authors: David Sloan Wilson, Richard A. Kauffman, Miriam S. Purdy

Institution: Binghamton University

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,382