Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1542824
R. Adeboye, C. Flewelling,V. Ogbole, E. O'Sullivan 71 right? And if this is how they're going to connect to education…This might be the turning point, and this might be a kid who now will graduate grade 8. If we can keep these programs in place." Given that this perspective does align with the literature – whereby student withdrawal is described as an escalating pattern – the determination that the evidence base is low (albeit still positive) is arguably overly conservative. Medium-Term Outcome #2: Improved Student Performance There is mildly positive evidence that Connected North contributes to improved student performance, as the availability of directly relevant evidence is sparse and interviewed teachers recognized the challenge of attribution. Not surprisingly, clear teacher affirmations that Connected North directly improved student performance were uncommon in teacher interviews, as teachers were once again cautious about attributing changes to Connected North. Even so, some teachers offered insights into why they thought the program was contributing to improved performance. One teacher described how the increased understanding explored above ultimately led to better performance, and how she hoped that Connected North's positive influence on students' drive to learn "would then lead to more success in academics." Another teacher provided a more concrete example, whereby a student used an approach on an assignment that they had learned through Connected North. Write-in questions on the teachers' survey also included a modest number of responses (100% positive) that were suggestive of better student performance. Comments referred to students challenging themselves; to improved skills including core skills (e.g., "It enriches my students' education by…enhancing their communication and critical thinking skills); and even to significant and measurable academic achievements. For example, one comment described how, owing to the support of Connected North sessions, one student "completed more credits this year than in the last two years combined." The 2024-25 teachers' survey also included one scale- based question that had relevance to this outcome: 29% of respondents observed improved collaboration or teamwork among students that they attributed to Connected North, providing mild support for the idea that sessions led to improvement in at least this specific dimension of student performance. "As a resulted of the Connected North platform we had a training on Jolly Phonics which made huge impact on our lower grades K-2. I can safely say that our kids now have the necessary foundation for literacy development. Students who were not reading are now reading." - Teacher Survey Respondent