Average grades for participants

Analysis of the academic data revealed less promising findings. Average grades for participants did not change during or after the program. This was not surprising to most of the program staff, however, because the Urban smARTS program did not focus on core academic subjects such as math, science, and English. Some evidence suggests that program participation may have helped improve school attendance. Program staff are reconsidering the relationship between participation in Urban smARTS and academic achievement and hope to refine the intended academic outcomes of the program in the future.