The Study

The POE is designed to collect information using 21 indicators, that all come together to measure three primary outcomes:

Confidence - The degree to which a volunteer can build a child's self-confidence.

Indicators include: overall self-confidence, ability to express feelings, ability to make positive decisions, increased interests or hobbies, personal hygiene or appearance and the child's overall view of their future.

Competence - The degree to which a volunteer can build skills for successful improvement in key areas.

Indicators include: The use of community resources, the use of school resources, overall academic performance, attitude toward school, school preparedness (or homework completion), class participation, classroom behavior, ability to avoid delinquency, ability to avoid substance abuse and the ability to avoid early parenting.

Caring - The degree to which a volunteer can impact a child's sensitivity toward the people in and around their lives.

Indicators include: Level of trust shown to parent or volunteer, respect for other cultures, relationship with the child's family, relationship with the child's peers and relationships with other adults.

The Results

Percentages are calculated by determining the number of children who were rated at "a little better" or "much better" and divided against the whole.
 
Average score is based on a scale used within the POE tool.  The tool asks all volunteers and parents to rate each category from 1-5:

1= Much worse
2= A Little worse
3= No change
4= A Little better
5= Much better

The closer the average is to 5, the better. 

Confidence:
The percentage of matched children who increased their overall self-confidence:

The percentage of matched children who were better able to make positive decisions:

The percentage of matched children who increased their interests or hobbies:

The percentage of matched children who improved their overall appearance/hygiene:

The percentage of matched children who had a better sense of their future:

Overall confidence average for volunteers was 4.16 (3.68 in CM).
Overall confidence average for parents was 4.20 (4.08 in CM).
Overall confidence average for teachers was 4.00

Competence:
The percentage of matched children who improved their use of community resources:

The percentage of matched children who improved their use of school resources:

The percentage of matched children who improved their academic performance:

The percentage of matched children who improved their attitude toward school:

Overall caring average for volunteers was 4.47 (3.68 in CM)
Overall caring average for parents was 4.31 (3.83 in CM)
Overall caring average for teachers was 3.86

The Impact

Future reports will compare results against both a previous year, and against a goal.   National averages are not available.

The competence and caring totals were, in some cases, much higher than the results seen through the Community Mentoring Program.

All impacts measured that related to school and school performance was very high.

Teachers tended to score lower than both parents and volunteers.