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The Texas Study of Students at Risk (TxSSAR) is a comprehensive evaluation examining the effectiveness of three state-level programs with the common goal of helping students at risk of failure to achieve academically. The study comprises investigations of the Optional Extended Year Program (OEYP), the Texas After School Initiative (TASI), and the Ninth Grade Success Initiative (NGSI), and case studies of districts that received NGSI grants. The evaluation covers a four-year period between the 1999-2000 and 2002-03 school years.

Researchers conducted case studies of Ninth Grade Success Initiative (NGSI) grants to gain a greater understanding of issues facing large numbers of at-risk students, many of whom, despite potentially receiving services as early as kindergarten, still reach ninth grade unprepared to succeed academically in high school. Case studies focused on NGSI projects and the broader high school contexts in which they operated. Studies involved 11 of 226 districts that received NGSI funding between 1999-2000 and 2002-03. In addition to NGSI funds, districts also benefited from Optional Extended Year program (OEYP) formula-based allocations, Texas After School Initiative (TASI) grants, or both. Appended are: (1) Teacher Questionnaire; (2) Student Questionnaire; (3) TxSSAR Classroom Observation Form Fall 2003; (4) Results for Classroom Observations by Subject Area; and (5) Factors Jeopardizing Internal Validity. (Contains 23 tables and 5 figures.)