“I learned how to express my feelings uniquely through paper and how to keep trying because practice makes perfect. No matter what obstacle gets in my way I will overcome that obstacle and keep heading forward.”

Brooklyn High School student

PROGRAM EVALUATIONS

Creative Connections programs are based on research and best practices in the field of youth development. Ongoing evaluations of all programs are conducted annually. Below are results from recent years:

Students who participated in the Creative Connections After School programs reported that as a direct result of the program they are:

*Post-program results from Teen Entrepreneurship and Video/Film Making Program for middle and high school students in Title I Schools in Queens

Results from an empirical evaluation study of Teen Entrepreneur Connections Program in the Spring of 2010 in two separate cohorts of South Bronx eighth graders found substantial and statistically significant gains in financial literacy. The evaluation study was designed and conducted under the direction of Mark Spellmann, Ph.D, a research psychologist who served as Principle Investigator for large national program outcomes evaluation studies at NYU over the past 15 years. Findings can be generalized to inner-city students performing academically in the average-below range of achievement. A program that can be delivered in weekly classes over 3 months and that empirically demonstrates substantial gains in vital life skills in this population holds considerable promise. Download a PDF of the entire study here.

SUMMARY:

• Students in Cohort 1: made significant gains in financial literacy during participation in TEC from Time 1 to Time 2* (T1 to T2) and maintained those gains (without treatment) through Time 3 (T3)
• Students in Cohort 2: made significant financial literacy gains during participation in TEC from T2 to T3** (and received no treatment from T1 to T2)
• Method: Financial literacy was measured as correct answers on a twenty-question quiz

Students who participated in the Creative Connections Afterschool Programs reported that as a direct result of the program they:

*Post-program results from Teen Entrepreneurship Connections, Fashion, and Cartooning Programs for middle and high school students from six Title I Schools in the Bronx.

*Post-program results from Teen Entrepreneurship Programs for middle school students from three Title I Schools in Brooklyn.

Students who participated in the Career Connections Programs reported that as a direct result of the program they:

*Post-program results from Career Connections in-class Programs for more than 170 middle and high school students from Title I Schools in Upper Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx.

*Post-program results from Teen Entrepreneur Connections in-class Programs for more than 170 middle and high school students from Title I Schools in Upper Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx.

Click here for the full results of the financial literacy study link