Growth Mindset Interventions: Intervention Report — Supporting Postsecondary Success

15 studies identified, 6 met What Works Clearinghouse standards; postsecondary students only

United States; postsecondary students at public and private institutions.

A federal evidence review applying WWC v4.0 design standards, with effectiveness ratings and improvement indices in percentile points. Note the scope - this is the POSTSECONDARY topic area, not K-12, which is where the school-level argument is actually fought.

Academic achievement (semester or quarter GPA, final exam score, course pass rate) rated potentially positive, improvement index +13 percentile points, 5 studies, 5,301 students. College enrolment rated no discernible effects, index +1, 2 studies, 8,194 students. Progressing in college (credits earned, retention) rated no discernible effects, index -2, 3 studies, 8,351 students. The pattern is the one that recurs across this literature - the positive rating attaches to the smallest evidence base and the softest outcome, while the two larger evidence bases with hard administrative outcomes are both null. Potentially positive is the WWC's second-tier rating, meaning evidence of an effect with no contrary evidence, not strong evidence.

Low - the reviewed studies are randomised or quasi-experimental designs meeting WWC standards.

Not applicable as a review, but the internal split between soft and hard outcomes is the same split visible in the K-12 trials.