The effectiveness of a school-based curriculum for reducing violence among urban sixth-grade students

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we examine the impact of a school-based curriculum designed to reduce violence among urban sixth-grade students.

Methods: This study used a staggered implementation design in which sixth-graders in six middle schools were taught an 18-session violence-prevention curriculum during either the fall or spring semester. Outcome measures were completed at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year.

Results: For boys, participation in the program during the fall resulted in significant posintervention differences in the self-reported frequency of violence and several other problem behaviors. Most of these differences were maintained at the end of the school year. Girls, in contrast, did not appear to benefit from the program.

Conclusion: These results support the use of a school-based curriculum for reducing violence among sixth-grade boys. They also underscore the importance of early intervention and the necessity of examining gender effects in evaluating such programs.