Lagged Retention Effects of Relational Mentoring

In Simple Words

Building relational trust is like planting an oak tree; during the first few seasons, growth occurs quietly below ground in the root structure without visible fruit, but after several years, the deeply rooted tree remains standing through severe storms that uproot unanchored plants.

Research question

Short-term evaluation metrics often misclassify successful relational mentoring programs as ineffective because building deep trust and behavioral change between advisors and low-income students requires multiple semesters before yielding measurable academic retention gains.

Participants

N = 869 low-income community college students at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas.

Study Design

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) tracking student academic outcomes across two, four, and six semesters post-random assignment.

Results

Enrollment effects were statistically indistinguishable from zero after two semesters (TOT = 0.072) and four semesters (TOT = -0.077), but grew into a statistically significant 25.1 percentage point increase in college persistence by six semesters (TOT, p < 0.10).

Takeaway

Extend evaluation timelines for relational mentoring programs to at least six semesters before assessing overall program effectiveness or making funding renewal decisions.

Read alongside the research

Plain-English glossary

Original explanations, informed by the references below. Examples are illustrations, not data from the studies above. The research text stays unchanged.

Percentage points

The difference between two percentages.

ExampleA rise from 40% to 50% is 10 percentage points. Relative to the starting value, that is a 25% increase.

Office for National Statistics · Percentages ↗Read more about percentage points →

Randomized controlled trial

A study that uses chance, like drawing lots, to decide who receives each option being compared. Researchers compare the groups’ outcomes to estimate the effect of those options.

ExampleA lottery assigns volunteers to a training programme or a comparison group. Researchers then compare their outcomes.

GET-IT glossary · Randomized study ↗Read more about randomized controlled trial →

Statistically significant

A label used when a result passes a chosen statistical threshold, often p < 0.05. It does not show how large or useful an effect is. A result that is not statistically significant does not prove there is no effect.

ExampleA study reports p = 0.03 against a 0.05 threshold. It passes that test, but the effect could still be too small to matter.

American Statistical Association · Statement on p-values ↗Read more about statistically significant →

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