Outcomes for Peer LINKS: Part I

Benefits for Students with ASD Access to general education curriculum Learn from peers Natural contexts to learn and practice skills

Benefits for Average and High- Achieving Peer Supports Learn skills by teaching them to others Gain skills in organization, responsibility, problem-solving, decision-making and accountability (Carter, Cushing & Kennedy, 2009)

Benefits for At-Risk LINK Students who are Peer Supports “For low-achieving students in particular…the opportunity to practice [academic strategies] through teaching them to others, may also promote increased engagement and learning. Students more readily acquire academic content when they must explain it to others and are responsible for ensuring another’s learning” (Carter & Kennedy, 2006, p. 287).

Data from 4 High Schools in Michigan School-Year Thank you to: Grand Haven High School Haslett High School Hemlock High School Lapeer West High School

Information Provided by School Staff: School Absences Semester GPA Behavior Referrals

Data for ALL Link Students 122 LINK Students

All LINK Students: Absences

All LINK Students: GPA

High GPA Students: Changes in GPA

29 LINK Students with Low GPAs GPA less than 2.5 before participating as a LINK

Low GPA Students: Absences

Low GPA Students: GPA Changes

Data for 12 LINK students with Behavior Challenges Each of these LINK students had 2 or more behavior referrals in the semester prior to becoming a LINK

Students with Behavior Challenges: # of Behavioral Referrals

Students with Behavior Challenges: # of Detentions

Conclusions Changes in GPA –More significant for students who had lower initial GPAs –C average to a B- average Attendance –Reduced absences Behavior Problems –Reduction in behavior referrals –Reduction in detentions

Peer Support Programs Make a Difference Benefits are NOT just for students with ASD, but also for peer supports

Final Thoughts Data, Data, Data

Data Collection

Elementary Data Collection Tracked data on absences for 9 students with ASD at Murphy Elementary before and after implementing a Peer Support program # of Absences Year before the Peer Support program was implemented 92.5 First year the Peer Support program was implemented 56

The LINKS program helps to improve attendance!

How can your school collect data on Peer-to-Peer?