Delta Schoolcraft teachers and consultants developed Take the Challenge * Take Charge, a media education program that uses the Stanford University SMART curriculum & other resources including reading, writing, math and technology activities for pre-school through Middle School/High School students.

Student Media Awareness to Reduce Television (S.M.A.R.T.) The Stanford University Prevention Research Center developed the S.M.A.R.T. curriculum for 3 rd or 4 th grade students to reduce the negative effects of excessive TV, video and video game use.

In randomized controlled trials the S.M.A.R.T. curriculum was proven to: Reduce children’s TV, videotape and video game use Reduce obesity and weight gain Reduce aggression in the classroom and playground Reduce children’s requests for toys advertised on TV

Children and adolescents (8- to 18-Year-Olds) spend the following amount of time daily in front of the screen: 7.5 hours using entertainment media 4.5 hours watching TV 1.5 hours on the computer Over an hour playing video games Less than 25 minutes per day reading books (Survey 2010 Kaiser Foundation)

Delta-Schoolcraft ISD began implementing the Take the Challenge curriculum in 2003 with 17 elementary schools and Escanaba Middle School.

A variety of data was collected to evaluate the program including: Playground observation Student surveys State Achievement Assessments Parent surveys Focus Groups Student viewing logs Teacher – Student Behavior Surveys

Effects of Media Reduction On Playground Aggression Average of Eight Schools

Effects of Media Reduction On Negative Classroom Behavior K-6 th Grade

Effects of Media Reduction On Aggressive Behavior Youth Correctional Center

Impact of No TV on 4 th Grade Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) Jan. 2005

Impact of No TV on 4 th Grade MEAP (Fall 2005)

Impact of No TV on 4 th Grade MEAP (Fall 2006)

Impact of No TV on 4 th Grade MEAP (Fall 2007)

% of 7 th grade (406) students who watched more than 3 hours of TV per school day.

% of 7 th grade students who watched 1 hour or less of TV per school day.

In randomized controlled trials the S.M.A.R.T. curriculum was proven to: Reduce children’s requests for toys advertised on TV but... TV and movies sell more than just toys.

Teen Smoking: Does watching movie stars smoking lead to long-term cigarette use? This has been researched for decades and the results are strong. With higher exposure to movie star smoking there is increased risk of smoking.

Dartmouth Medical School published the results of a 10 year study on the effects of exposure to movie smoking. They concluded 35% of habitual smoking in teenagers and young adults can be directly attributed to earlier exposure to movie smoking Movie smoking exposure was a stronger predictor of habitual smoking than having a parent or friend who smokes.

% of 7 th grade students that had smoked at least 1 cigarette during their life. (66% to 80% Decrease)

Kids who regularly watch R-rated movies take risks ranging from alcohol abuse to violence. Prevention Science, March 2010 Dr. James Sargent, Darmouth Medical School

% of 7 th grade students that had at least 1 drink of alcohol during last 30 days. (56% to 82% Decrease)

% of 7 th grade students that at least 5 drinks of alcohol within a couple hours during last 30 days. (81% to 86% Decrease)

% of 7 th grade students that had used marijuana 1 or more times during the last 30 days. (72% - 93%)