What type of measure should be used to determine the effectiveness of the mentoring program for high school graduation rates?

The effectiveness of a mentoring program for influencing high school graduation rates can most accurately be assessed by comparing the pre-test and post-test indicators of student success. Specifically, using the number of 9th-grade students passing pre-tests alongside their graduation status at 12th grade provides a direct connection to the program's impact on students' long-term academic outcomes. This method captures both the baseline academic performance of the students before they enter the mentoring program and their ultimate graduation success, allowing for a clearer understanding of the specific effects of the mentoring efforts.

Monitoring attendance records or average GPAs, while useful, does not create a direct link to graduation rates, as these measures could be influenced by many other factors unrelated to mentoring. Similarly, student satisfaction surveys offer valuable feedback on the mentoring experience but do not provide quantifiable data on academic success or graduation outcomes. Thus, comparing the performance of students before and after mentoring allows educators to draw more definitive conclusions about the program's effectiveness in boosting high school graduation rates.