Research-Backed College Preparation Through Project-Based Learning
Discover how New Tech Network schools prepare students for college success with proven strategies that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and the skills colleges demand.
True college preparation extends far beyond test prep and GPA. Students need critical thinking, self-direction, collaboration, and resilience to thrive in higher education. Our research shows NTN students enroll in college at higher rates and persist through graduation more successfully than their peers.
Beyond Test Scores: Real College Readiness
College success requires more than high ACT scores. Students who thrive in postsecondary education possess:
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
The ability to analyze complex information, construct evidence-based arguments, and solve unfamiliar problems—skills developed through authentic project work.
Collaboration and Communication
College requires group projects, presentations, and professional communication across diverse contexts. PBL builds these competencies starting in elementary school.
Academic Agency and Self-Direction
Independent learners who set goals, manage time, seek resources, and persist through challenges succeed in college. The NTN model develops these habits of mind systematically.
Real-World Application
Students who understand connections between coursework and career pathways maintain motivation and purpose throughout postsecondary education.
Documented Impact on College Preparation
Multiple research studies demonstrate that New Tech Network schools effectively prepare students for college success:
Higher Order Thinking Skills
NTN high school students grow in higher order thinking skills at a rate 77% greater than comparison students between freshman and senior years, as measured by the College and Work Readiness Assessment.
College-Level Performance
NTN seniors outperform 68% of four-year college freshmen with similar backgrounds and abilities on key indicators of higher order thinking, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and writing effectiveness.
Strong Graduation Rates
New Tech students graduate high school at a rate of 91%—nine percentage points higher than the national average.
College Enrollment
74% of NTN graduates enroll in college, surpassing national college-going rates across diverse communities and demographics.
College Persistence
NTN alumni demonstrate stronger retention and graduation rates from postsecondary institutions, even when controlling for demographic factors. Students report feeling better prepared for college-level work, particularly in writing, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Grounded in Evidence and Best Practices
New Tech Network’s approach to college preparation is grounded in extensive research on what works:
College and Work Readiness Assessment (CWRA)
NTN uses performance-based assessments calibrated to college-ready standards to measure student growth in analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and writing effectiveness.
Longitudinal Student Outcome Studies
Multiple studies document that students in NTN schools outperform peers in non-NTN schools on SAT/ACT tests and state exams in both mathematics and reading.
Evidence from Diverse Contexts
Research demonstrates positive outcomes across various school settings, including Title I schools serving high-poverty communities and schools with significant populations of students of color.
Prepare Your Students for College Success
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