Youth Development

Harlem Educational Activities Fund: Program Evaluation

In 2008, Metis Associates was asked by the Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) to evaluate its High Expectations Middle School Program, serving 150 students in high-poverty areas of Harlem, the South Bronx, and other parts of New York City. HEAF provides a continuum of academic enrichment, youth development, and counseling services to students, preparing them to apply to and succeed in competitive high schools and colleges. Beginning in the sixth grade, participants spend six years taking academic enrichment classes in math, language arts, and elective topics.

Metis began its evaluation by conducting an in-depth literature review on student needs and best practices in the area of college readiness. Next, it developed a logic model—a visual depiction of how the program’s resources and activities were expected to lead to short- and long-term outcomes. Metis staff conducted interviews and focus groups with participants in all middle-school grades, graduates of the program, HEAF staff, and board members. Metis also developed and analyzed pre- and post-program surveys of participants’ perceptions of High Expectations’ impact on their interpersonal skills, academic competencies, and high school and college readiness. Finally, Metis measured program participation and high school acceptance rates.

The evaluation found that High Expectations was leading to gains in a number of important areas, including self-confidence, interpersonal skills, high school preparation, and college readiness. Metis identified several programmatic and organizational strengths that contributed to this success, including a holistic approach to programming and service delivery, a strong HEAF culture and identity, the inclusion of student voices in programming, and a strong commitment to self-reflection and evaluation.