Based in the Sharpstown/Gulfton area of Southwest Houston, reVision supports youth in southwest Houston facing extreme poverty, family instability, unmet mental health needs, and exposure to gang violence and drug use. The program works to enhance school connectedness and reduce disciplinary actions such as suspensions and arrests through a partnership with the Houston Independent School District and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department.
Program evaluation
As a research partner, the Kinder Institute is assessing the impact of reVision’s school-based mentoring program on school retention rates, academic achievement and behavioral outcomes. An analysis of student trajectories before, during and after the program is being conducted by merging:
- ReVision data about participating students including demographic variables and program participation
- Academic and behavioral data such as standardized test scores, attendance records, grade progression and disciplinary actions from the Texas Education Agency through the University of Houston’s Education Research Center
- Qualitative interviews with Houston reVision leadership, staff and program participants
Findings will help guide interventions for mitigating learning losses and behavioral challenges, especially in underserved communities. By evaluating the program in Houston — a highly diverse urban environment — this research may inform policymakers about its potential to address statewide educational challenges and could serve as a model for expansion into other districts, including those in smaller rural or suburban areas.
