Reduction of antisocial behavior in poor children by nonschool skill-development

PALS (for "participate and learn skills") was a nonschool skill-development program offered to all children 5-15 years of age living in a publicly supported housing complex in Ottawa, Ontario. While participation was excellent, none but marginal and possibly nonexistent spillover effects on school performance or behavior in the home were observed. However, clear and statistically significant changes occurred on unobtrusive measures of antisocial behavior outside home and school. A cost-benefit analysis indicated that potential savings, primarily in reduced vandalism but also in reduced police and fire costs, greatly exceeded the cost of mounting the program.