Evaluation of a remediation program using senior citizens as psychoeducational agents

A remediation program for learning and psychosocially disabled pupils utilizing senior citizens as paraprofessional aides was evaluated. The senior citizens were effective in developing tutorial relationships conducive for the students' academic and psychosocial development, as indicated by pre- and posttesting. The disabled pupils improved their academic skills, as measured by standardized achievement and intelligence tests and by school grades. Statistical comparison with a control group further demonstrated the significance of the gains. The pupils' psychosocial adjustment also showed significant improvement on various personality assessment measures and behavior ratings by teachers and parents. Finally, self-reports by the senior citizen aides suggest that they also profited by their involvement in STEP.