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Pearls and pitfalls in evaluating a Student Assistance Program: a five-year case study
Sharon T Wilburn1, Kenneth T Wilburn, Dax M Weaver
1Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville 32225, USA. swilburn@unf.edu
This study found that a school-based Student Assistance Program (SAP) significantly reduced student drug use and improved internal locus of control over five years. Academic performance did not change, but discipline referrals decreased slightly.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Public Health
- School Counseling
Background:
- Internal Student Assistance Programs (SAP) can support at-risk students.
- Expanding SAPs to include tertiary prevention, modeled after Employee Assistance Programs, may enhance effectiveness.
- A five-year evaluation is crucial for understanding long-term impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an urban school district's internal Student Assistance Program (SAP) over five years.
- To assess the impact of SAP on student drug use, locus of control, discipline referrals, and academic performance.
- To identify factors correlating with program outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A five-year evaluation-research case study was conducted.
- A stratified random sample of 2,238 students receiving program assistance was analyzed.
- Data included drug use, locus of control, discipline referrals, and academic performance.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant annual declines in student drug use (p < .05) were observed.
- Significant annual improvements in internal locus of control were recorded.
- No significant changes in academic performance were found, though discipline referrals showed a non-significant decrease.
Conclusions:
- The internal Student Assistance Program (SAP) demonstrated effectiveness in reducing drug use and enhancing internal locus of control among at-risk students.
- Program duration, type of assistance, and custody status were significantly correlated with changes in drug use.
- Further research may explore strategies to improve academic outcomes within SAP interventions.
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