Planned mentoring programs have flourished as one possible solution to the
problems affecting youth. Unfortunately, little research has been conducted
evaluating mentoring programs in spite of the generally accepted belief th
at only positive effects can result from their implementation. The present
study examined the impact of mentoring on the academic achievement of at-ri
sk youth involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Academic achievement tests w
ere individually administered to 12 boys in the treatment group (i.e., had
a mentor) and 13 boys in a control group (i.e., were on a waiting list to r
eceive a mentor) pre- and post-test over a nine month period. Results indic
ated that boys in the treatment group made significantly higher academic ga
ins than the control group, even after controlling for ability. Implication
s of these results are discussed.