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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Nov;83(11):771-9.
doi: 10.1111/josh.12093.

Using social-emotional and character development to improve academic outcomes: a matched-pair, cluster-randomized controlled trial in low-income, urban schools

Niloofar Bavarian  1 , Kendra M Lewis, David L Dubois, Alan Acock, Samuel Vuchinich, Naida Silverthorn, Frank J Snyder, Joseph Day, Peter Ji, Brian R Flay
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Using social-emotional and character development to improve academic outcomes: a matched-pair, cluster-randomized controlled trial in low-income, urban schools

Niloofar Bavarian et al. J Sch Health. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Background: School-based social-emotional and character development (SECD) programs can influence not only SECD but also academic-related outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of one SECD program, Positive Action (PA), on educational outcomes among low-income, urban youth.

Methods: The longitudinal study used a matched-pair, cluster-randomized controlled design. Student-reported disaffection with learning and academic grades, and teacher ratings of academic ability and motivation were assessed for a cohort followed from grades 3 to 8. Aggregate school records were used to assess standardized test performance (for entire school, cohort, and demographic subgroups) and absenteeism (entire school). Multilevel growth-curve analyses tested program effects.

Results: PA significantly improved growth in academic motivation and mitigated disaffection with learning. There was a positive impact of PA on absenteeism and marginally significant impact on math performance of all students. There were favorable program effects on reading for African American boys and cohort students transitioning between grades 7 and 8, and on math for girls and low-income students.

Conclusions: A school-based SECD program was found to influence academic outcomes among students living in low-income, urban communities. Future research should examine mechanisms by which changes in SECD influence changes in academic outcomes.

Keywords: child and adolescent health; emotional health; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Notice of potential conflict of interest: The research described herein was done using the program, the training, and technical support of Positive Action, Inc. in which Dr. Flay’s spouse holds a significant financial interest. Issues regarding conflict of interest were reported to the relevant institutions and appropriately managed following the institutional guidelines.

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