IV. Identifying Solutions

G. School-Based Training Programs

i. Skill-Oriented Drug Education

“Some forms of drug education are effective ... Life Skills Training delivers a broad approach to social competency and skills development through 16 sessions for 7th grade students, with eight booster sessions in grades 8 and 9. ALERT is another successful program with an emphasis on social resistance skills, and has been rigorously evaluated in 30 schools.”84

Effective programs appear to have the following qualities:85

• Educational programs are carried out by experienced, skilled teachers who do more than simply recite information.

• Students are engaged in the development and practice of relevant social skills, especially resistance to peer and media influences.

• Programs do not rely only on fear arousal, moral exhortation, or self-esteem building.

ii. Violence Prevention Training

“Violence prevention training can help aggressive youth cope with their frustration and hostility, and resolve conflicts without fighting ... Overall, there is considerable research in support of cognitive-behavioral approaches which not only reduce aggressive behavior, but in some studies also improve school attendance and grades, and reduce substance abuse.”86

This section highlights the top ten violence prevention programs evaluated by Drug Strategies in 1998. The Drug Strategies report is the most current, and perhaps the most comprehensive review of school violence prevention programs in the United States. Through their study, Drug Strategies identified these common denominators among the most promising programs:

1. Activities designed to foster school norms against violence, aggression and bullying.

2. Skills training based on a strong theoretical foundation.

3. A comprehensive, multifaceted approach, including family, peer, media and community.

4. Physical and administrative changes to promote a positive school climate.

5. At least 10-20 sessions during the first year of a well-organized, well-implemented program and 5-10 booster sessions in the succeeding two years.

6. Interactive teaching.

7. Developmentally tailored interventions.

8. Culturally sensitive material.

9. Teacher training.87

Top 10 Violence Prevention Programs Evaluated by “Drug Strategies”:

Program Title: Aggressors, Victims & Bystanders88

Training Type: Normative Change, Comprehensive Health Program

Grade Level: 6-9

Year Created/Revised: 1994

Cost: $60

Discussion: Strengths described as “A beautifully organized, teacher friendly, well developed 12 session curriculum. Excellent ‘points to keep in mind’ at beginning of each session. Part of Teenage Health Modules, a well-evaluated, comprehensive health program which also includes material on drugs and alcohol. Many extras. Includes a quiz to be given at end of the module.” Weaknesses described as “Concern that role-plays allow acting out of aggressive material (including a fake stabbing). Students then rewrite the script but might find the new version less dramatic and fun than the first. Would require an experienced and skilled teacher to handle these situations. Program scored high, on quality developmental appropriateness, ease of administration. Teacher training offered. Program has either adequate or very good coverage of: anger management, social problem solving, media, social resistance skills communication. Program does not cover empathy, ethnic/race/gender, or peace building.

Program Title: Voices of Love and Freedom89

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: K -12

Year Created/Revised: 1993/1997

Cost: $375

Discussion: Strengths described as “Creative, innovative program that uses a structured approach to children’s books and multi-cultural appreciation to prevent violence while promoting literacy skills. Introduces 15-18 stories for teachers to choose from each year with a four-step approach to processing material. Strongly grounded in developmental research. Encourages cooperative learning. Includes a Spanish literature program that can stand alone. Weaknesses described “Because the children’s books are available through many different publishers, the reviewers were concerned about the time involved for the teacher in assembling or ordering the books.” Scored very good on program quality and developmental appropriateness; good on ease of administration. Teacher training strongly recommended. Very good coverage of empathy, social problem solving, communication, ethnic/race/gender, and peace building. Adequate coverage of anger management. Media and social resistance skills not covered.

Program Title: PeaceBuilders90

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: K-5

Year Created/Revised: 1994/1997

Cost: $255-360

Discussion: Strengths described as “Creative and solidly-based comprehensive school climate program that emphasizes praising others, avoiding negative comments, being aware of injustices, righting wrongs and seeking out “wise people.” Excellent classroom management suggestions, particularly for handling discipline and “unruly” kids. This well-evaluated program contains many extras including an intensive peace building program for especially disruptive students, a family program, playground program, planning guides for teachers, a leadership guide for administrators, manuals for school staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, etc. Evaluation tools, surveys, student workbooks in Spanish and English. Weaknesses described as “Room for improvement in organization and format to facilitate implementation.” Preliminary post-test results of rigorous ongoing CDC evaluation shows significant reductions in fighting-related injury visits to school nurse by students. Graded very good on program quality and developmental appropriateness; good on ease of administration. Teacher training is required. Program content: very good coverage of social resistance skills and peace building; anger management, empathy, social problem solving, media, communication, ethnic/race/gender not covered.

Program Title: No Bullying91

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: 1-8

Year Created/Revised: 1996

Cost: $50

Discussion: Strengths described as “Imaginative, well-organized program emphasizing the importance of adult intervention in bullying situations. Clear focus on peer/bullying violence. Good use of stories about animals for younger children to illustrate lessons. Works to change school climate to send a clear “no tolerance for bullying” message. Includes a Program Director’s Manual for training and implementation.” Weaknesses described as “Manuals for teachers could be improved in simplicity and usability.” Graded very good on program quality and developmental appropriateness; good on ease of administration. Teacher training offered. Program content: adequate coverage of anger management and empathy; no coverage of social problem solving, media, social resistance skills, communication, ethnic/race/gender, or peace building.

Program Title: Second Step92

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: P-8

Year Created/Revised: 1988/1997

Cost: $280

Discussion: Strengths described as “Between 8 and 28 lessons per year comprise this well organized, structured and well-evaluated program that has demonstrated effects on aggressive behaviors. It features excellent background material for teachers, and consists of beautiful, high-quality materials including videos. Extra components on mentoring, family, techniques for resisting gang pressure, and bullies.” Weakness described as “Instruction for role plays less detailed as curriculum progresses.” Six month post-test results of rigorous ongoing evaluation shows significant reductions in physical aggression in the classroom, as well as increased pro-social behavior. Graded very good for program quality, developmental appropriateness, and ease of administration. Teacher training is strongly recommended. Program content: Very good coverage of anger management, empathy, social problem solving, social resistance skills, communication, and peace building. Adequate coverage of media and ethnic/race/gender.

Program Title: PACT93

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: 6-12

Year Created/Revised: 1995

Cost: $250

Discussion: Strengths described as “Brief, highly focused 10-16 lesson program for African American and other adolescents, designed for use in small group sessions. Can be used in conjunction with culturally sensitive Dealing with Anger video program. Strong theoretical framework. Excellent instructions for role playing and coaching. Helpful, detailed instructions throughout. Strong guidance for teachers on cultural sensitivity, setting up groups, managing groups, parent involvement, and suggestions for evaluation.” Weaknesses described as “May be too flexible, giving teachers permission to adapt materials. Format of lesson plans not easy to use, though very complete. Not clear how it could be used across years.” Testing: Small evaluation (28 high risk students) with serious design problems suggests some impact on aggression, school suspension and expulsion related to violence, as well as improved communication, negotiation, and problem solving. Graded very good for program quality and developmental appropriateness; good for ease of administration. Teacher training offered. Program content: Very good coverage of anger management, social problem solving, communication, and peace building; no coverage of empathy, media, social resistance skills, and ethnic/race/gender.

Program Title: Reconnecting Youth94

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: 9-12

Year Created/Revised: 1995

Cost: $139

Discussion: Strength described as “Beautifully organized 5-month program to be taught daily in small group sessions, especially to students who are at-risk for drug use, depression, and aggression, as well as academic failure and dropping out of school. Based on a strong theoretical model and structured around life skills training to build positive peer relationships. Contains evaluation tools for assessing progress, detailed plans for implementing a program, a separate section on social, recreational and school activities to promote bonding to school. Also a section on crises response for student suicide. Lessons on drugs.” Weaknesses described as “Concern about value of segregating students. Little guidance for handling disclosures on drugs and other issues.” Testing: “Two rigorous NIDA-funded studies with high risk youth showed reductions in substance use, suicide risk, anger and other predictors of violence, as well as improved school performance.” Graded very good on program quality and ease of administration; good on developmental appropriateness. Teacher training offered. Program content: Very good coverage of communication; adequate coverage of anger management, social problem solving, and peace building. No coverage of empathy, media, and ethnic/race/gender.

Program Title: Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways (RIPP)95

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: 6-7

Year Created/Revised: 1997

Cost: $75

Discussion: Strengths described as “This well-evaluated 25 session curriculum was adapted from the Violence Prevention Curriculum for Adolescents. Uses games and group work well to emphasize social problem solving and resistance skills. Excellent skills training, particularly on how to resist influences to become violent.” Weaknesses described as “This new program is not well packaged and lacks introductory orientation for teachers. Would be strengthened by additional detailed instructions for activities, for example, more detail on points to make in the normative change activities could ensure program is implemented as intended.” Testing: “Preliminary post-test results of rigorous ongoing CDC evaluation show significant reductions in incidents of being threatened by a weapon as well as in fighting among boys (but not among girls). These effects were maintained at a 4 moth follow up. Seventh grade booster session is being evaluated but is not yet available for distribution.” Graded very good on program quality and developmental appropriateness. Teacher training is strongly recommended. Program content: Very good coverage of anger management, social problem solving, media, social resistance skills, and ethnic/race/gender. Adequate coverage of empathy and communication; no coverage of peace building.

Program Title: Safe Dates96

Training Type: Normative Change

Grade Level: 8-9

Year Created/Revised: 1994

Cost: free

Discussion: Strengths described as “Well-evaluated, 9 session curriculum highly focused on prevention of dating violence, designed to keep students from becoming involved in abusive relationships. Strong emphasis on norms. Helps students recognize that they can choose how they want to be treated in a dating relationship. Includes sessions on how to help others involved in abusive relationships. Includes poster contest, theater production, and evaluation tools.” Weaknesses described as “Not a general violence prevention program. Instructions for interactive techniques lack sufficient detail. Might be difficult to complete multiple activities in each session in recommended time. Testing: “Preliminary post-test results of a rigorous ongoing CDC evaluation suggest significant 60% reductions in incidence of sexual violence and dating violence, some reductions in psychological abuse. Mediators of violence, including norms also improved.” Graded very good for program quality and developmental appropriateness; good for ease of administration. Teacher training offered. Program content: Very good coverage of anger management, communication, and ethnic/race/gender. Adequate coverage of empathy, social problem solving, and social resistance skills. No coverage of media or peace building.

Program Title: Peer Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Schools97

Training Type: n/a

Grade Level: 6-12

Year Created/Revised: 1991/1997

Cost: $418 Discussion: Strengths described as “A strong, well-organized, very complete program with detailed and extensive background and support materials. Excellent discussion of discipline and school rules. A strong implementation guide. Includes detailed implementation plan including guidance on selecting mediators, executing a promotional campaign, and survey forms for evaluation feedback.” Weaknesses described as “Advanced training sessions on culture, anger and hidden issues are very sophisticated and possibly too advanced for many high school students.” Very good program quality, developmental appropriateness, and ease of administration. Teacher training offered.