Randomized Trial of the Positive Action Program in Hawaii Schools

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the Positive Action program on reducing negative behaviors, increasing positive behaviors and improving academic achievement of elementary school students.

Detailed Description
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This project will: 1) evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive, multi-grade, multi-year program, the Positive Action program (PA) designed to reduce student problem behaviors (including drug use and violence), disciplinary referrals and suspensions, and academic underachievement; 2) evaluate the effects of the program on the presumed/theoretical mediator variables; and 3) assess which of these changes in mediator variables actually mediate the effects of the program on behavior and school performance. The Hawaiian school district has agreed to implement a randomized trial of the PA program. We randomly assigned schools to PA or control conditions from strata matched on multiple indicators of risk. PA schools will receive the full PA program for four years (the 2002-03 through 2005-06 school years). This includes all materials for all students (at all grades), families, teachers, and principal, plus community kits; training for teachers and other interested staff; and continuous technical support and monitoring by a PA staff person. Data on behavior and academic achievement will be obtained from school archival records for all students for all years and, where appropriate for several years prior to the study. Students in grades 1 and 3 in the 2001-02 school year and their parents and teachers will also be followed through the project with surveys every year. The subject population will contain equal portions of males and females, and proportionate numbers of the major ethnic groups on Oahu (Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian, white, Asian, Other). Analyses will test for program effects on all hypothesized mediating variables and outcomes, and the hypothesized mediational pathways.

Official Title
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The Positive Action Program: Outcomes and Mediators

Conditions
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Character, Violence, Substance Use, Pro-social Behavior, Academic Achievement

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Positive Action


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Public elementary schools K-5 or K-6 All students in the study cohorts Exclusion Criteria: Schools performing in top 50%

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control<br>Business as usual | |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>Positive Action | Behavioral: Positive Action<br>* See publications<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-reported attitudes and behaviors |  | 2001-2006 | 
| Teacher reports of behaviors |  | 2001-2006 | 
| Parent reports of student behaviors |  | 2001-2006 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| School-level academic achievement test scores |  | 2000-2007 | 
| School-level reports of disciplinary referrals |  | 2000-2007 | 
| School-level reports of school quality |  | 2000-2007 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Curriculum, Classroom management, School-wide climate, Parent involvement