The Cluster-randomized Evaluation of the IKO-model

NCT ID: NCT03239249

Last Updated: 2022-09-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 7678 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-03-01
• Study Completion Date: 2021-12-01

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to analyze whether and how a systemic school-level approach to dropout prevention (the IKO-model), increase the completion rate from upper secondary school. The hypothesis is that schools that implement the model (i.e. randomized to the experimental group), will reduce the amount of students in risk of dropout, compared to their counterparts in schools randomized to the control group. The main expected outcomes in the study are; 1) increased amounts of students in upper secondary education completing their education within the three-year standard length of education, 2) decreased amounts of school-drop out, and 3) reduced values in mediating variables, such as low achievement, course failures, lack of attendance and lack of school-motivation and -effort. Accordingly, implementation quality and fidelity to the model will be assessed, both with quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews and observation) data. A total of five counties and 42 upper secondary schools participate in the evaluation project. One of the counties (Akershus County) have developed and piloted the model and function as a mentor in the other four counties (Oppland, Hedmark, Nord-Trøndelag and Hamar). While 20 schools have been randomized to the experimental group, 22 schools have been randomized to the control group. Schools randomized to the control group will work as earlier with school dropout.

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to analyze whether and how a systemic school-level approach to dropout prevention (the IKO-model), increase the completion rate from upper secondary school. The hypothesis is that schools that implement the model (i.e. randomized to the experimental group), will reduce the amount of students in risk of dropout, compared to their counterparts in schools randomized to the control group. The main expected outcomes in the study are; 1) increased amounts of students in upper secondary education completing their education within the three-year standard length of education, 2) decreased amounts of school-drop out, and 3) reduced values in mediating variables, such as low achievement, course failures, lack of attendance and lack of school-motivation and -effort. Accordingly, implementation quality and fidelity to the model will be assessed, both with quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews and observation) data. A total of five counties and 42 upper secondary schools participate in the evaluation project. One of the counties (Akershus County) have developed and piloted the model and function as a mentor in the other four counties (Oppland, Hedmark, Nord-Trøndelag and Hamar). While 20 schools have been randomized to the experimental group, 22 schools have been randomized to the control group. Schools randomized to the control group will work as earlier with school dropout.

The implemented model is based on the County of Akershus´ experiences of developing and implementing the IKO-model since 2009. The IKO-model represents a systemic intervention at the school-level level, with the aim of improving the schools' follow-up structures related to students in risk of school dropout.

The basic idea of the model is that there are three groups of students: 1) students with ordinary follow-up needs, 2) students with the right to special education and 3) students without the right to special education, but who need individually targeted efforts from time to time. While there are guidelines and requirements when it comes to the follow-up of students with the right to special education, schools are less systematic in their approaches to students with temporary need for follow-up. Hence, the IKO-model focuses on improving the way schools identify and follow-up students in risk for dropout, but who do not qualify for special education. It is also emphasized, that time-limited and low-cost interventions are sufficient enough to reduce the risk of drop-out for the majority of students within this group, however the most important is to identify problems early and find solutions quickly. The goal is to remove the need for additional interventions as soon as possible and return students to normal education.

Another assumption is that the model will help schools to implement goal-focused targeted interventions at an early stage and ensure that the measures implemented are adjusted based on student needs. At student level the model aim to a) early identify students "in risk" for drop-out , b) charter students´ situation in order to find suitable interventions, and c) follow-up identified students with immediate interventions including an ongoing evaluation of their situation. In order for schools to succeed at identifying, chartering and following-up students, three main school-level components are implemented; 1) a computer assisted early warning system, 2) organizational structures and practices that enables schools to monitor progress and implement effective interventions, and 3) external and school internal communities of learning.

The research question is whether, how and to what extent the IKO-model reduce drop-out from upper secondary school. The hypothesis is that the IKO-model will assist schools in their work with identifying, charting and supporting students in risk through the early warning system, organization-level monitoring practices, and communities of learning. The main outcome assessed is reduced amounts of students that dropout from upper secondary school measured through increased amounts of students accomplishing education within the three-year standard length. The intervention is also expected to reduce amounts of students not in education, activity or employment at follow-up.

Conditions

School Drop Out Prevention

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Intervention group: IKO-model (20 schools)

Schools randomized to experimental group will implement the IKO-drop-out prevention intervention. Each county have a project leader responsible for following up the implementation. The model is described in a manual, that schools should follow.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

IKO-model

Intervention Type: OTHER

A systematic model for drop-out prevention.

Treatment as usual (22 schools)

Schools randomized to control group will work as previously with their drop-out prevention. This include various activities, but they are not systematic as in the IKO-model.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Treatment as usual

Intervention Type: OTHER

Schools randomized to control group (22) work as previously with school dropout

Interventions

IKO-model

A systematic model for drop-out prevention.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Treatment as usual

Schools randomized to control group (22) work as previously with school dropout

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 42 upper secondary schools in 4 Norwegian counties participate in the evaluation project.
• All first grade students in 2016 and 2017 arre followed up in the project.
• All first grade teachers are included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

NA

• Minimum Eligible Age: 15 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Norwegian ministry of Education and Research

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Oslo Metropolitan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Arendal videregående skole

Arendal, Aust-Agder Fylkeskommune, Norway

Sam Eyde videregående skole

Arendal, Aust-Agder, Norway

Dahlske videregående skole

Grimstad, Aust-Agder, Norway

Setesdal videregående skole

Hornnes, Aust-Agder, Norway

Møglestu videregående skole

Lillesand, Aust-Agder, Norway

Risør videregående skole

Risør, Aust-Agder, Norway

Tvedestrand og Åmli videregående skole

Tvedestrand, Aust-Agder, Norway

Storsteigen videregående skole

Alvdal, Hedmark, Norway

Solør videregående skole

Braskereidfoss, Hedmark, Norway

Ringsaker videregående skole

Brumunddal, Hedmark, Norway

Elverum videregående skole

Elverum, Hedmark, Norway

Hamar katedralskole

Hamar, Hedmark, Norway

Storhamar videregående skole

Hamar, Hedmark, Norway

Midt-Østedal videregående skole

Koppang, Hedmark, Norway

Skarnes videregående skole

Skarnes, Hedmark, Norway

Jønsberg videregående skole

Stange, Hedmark, Norway

Stange videregående skole

Stange, Hedmark, Norway

Trysil videregående skole

Trysil, Hedmark, Norway

Nord-Østedal videregående skole

Tynset, Hedmark, Norway

Grong videregående skole

Grong, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Inderøy videregående skole

Inderøy, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Leksvik videregående skole

Leksvik, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Levanger videregående skole

Levanger, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Meråker videregående skole

Meråker, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Olav Duun videregående skole

Namsos, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Mære landbruksskole

Sparbu, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Steinkjer videregående skole

Steinkjer, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Ole Vig videregående skole

Stjørdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Verdal videregående skole

Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Dokka videregående skole

Dokka, Oppland, Norway

Gjøvik videregående skole

Gjøvik, Oppland, Norway

Hadeland videregående skole

Gran, Oppland, Norway

Nord Gulbrandsdalen videregående skole

Gulbrandsdalen, Oppland, Norway

Valdres videregående skole

Leira, Oppland, Norway

Lena-Valle videregående skole

Lena, Oppland, Norway

Lillehammer videregående skole

Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway

Raufoss videregående skole

Raufoss, Oppland, Norway

Vinstra videregående skole

Vinstra, Oppland, Norway

Gausdal videregående skole

Østre Gausdal, Oppland, Norway

Sentrum videregående skole

Kongsvinger, , Norway

Øvrebyen videregående skole

Kongsvinger, , Norway

Ytre Namdal videregående skole

Rørvik, , Norway

Countries

Norway

Other Identifiers

48657 (NSD)

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id