Independent, Comprehensive, Longitudinal Results

The Rochester City School District, one of five large urban districts in New York, began working with America’s Choice in 1998 to improve schools and student achievement across the board. The district is a stellar example of the results that are possible with the America’s Choice School Design.

In a major longitudinal study, the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE), an independent consortium of seven of the nation’s leading research institutions*, found that the America’s Choice School Design results in substantial, long-term gains in student achievement, particularly for the lowest-performing and minority students. Gains were measured by state tests and other nationally normed measures.

After four years in America’s Choice schools, students in Rochester have statistically significant gains in performance compared to other similar students—gains that accumulate year after year. In reading, they’ve gained 6.8 months compared with their peers. In mathematics, they’ve gained 10.4 months compared with their peers. By 8th grade, they are about a year ahead of similar students in Rochester schools.

These results hold true with minority students as well. After four years in America’s Choice schools, African American students are 5.6 months ahead of their peers in reading and 7.2 months ahead in mathematics. After four years in America’s Choice schools, Hispanic students are 11.6 months ahead of their peers in reading and 10.8 months ahead in mathematics.

In fact, since the publication of this study, New York recognized Rochester in 2005 for having the biggest gains of any urban district on the state’s assessments.

America's Choice Students Gain
Additional Months of Learning

* CPRE is composed of the University of Pennsylvania, Teachers College–Columbia University, Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Northwestern University.