Statistical analysis of educational outcomes among Big Noise Raploch participants

Phase 2 of the GCPH evaluation of Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme marks the beginning of a summative evaluation, which uses quantitative statistical analysis of life-course outcomes to assess the long-term impact of the Big Noise programme. This report specifically focuses on the educational outcomes of Big Noise Raploch participants at school leaving age.

The educational outcomes examined include post-school destination and 'cumulative insight tariff.' The statistical analysis compares these educational outcomes between 89 Big Noise participants and a 'control group' consisting of 887 other school leavers from across the wider Stirling Council area, who share a similar sociodemographic background but did not attend Big Noise. The statistical analysis essentially 'adjusts' or equivalises variances between the two groups to establish or 'isolate' the contribution that Big Noise participation has made to the described educational outcomes.

The analysis presented in this report complements the wider evaluation findings, which indicate that Big Noise has preventative impacts, promoting education, well-being, healthy behaviours, positive choices, and a range of opportunities across the early years and school years.