Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention A new middle school program by Committee for Children (Available June 2008)

Agenda Program overview and goals Research foundations Program specifics –Levels and lessons –Teaching strategies –Program themes –Contents 2

What is Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention? All-in-one prevention program for middle school 3 Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention School Success Bullying Prevention Violence Prevention Substance Abuse Prevention

What is Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention? Video Overview overview 4 Click on link to view video. Must be in Slide Show view and connected to the Internet to view.

5 Development Driven by Client Requests and Market Demands Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention We need a bullying program for middle school. We must address the prevalence of aggression and bullying in middle schools. We must address substance abuse - it is our prevention priority. We want one program that focuses on multiple prevention issues.

6 Program goals Increase school success Decrease aggression and violence Decrease bullying behaviors Decrease substance abuse

Research foundations Risk and protective factors Bullying Brain research Developmental needs of young adolescents

Prevention research supports one program targeting multiple issues Risk and protective factors are at the heart of Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention. –Many of the same factors predict substance abuse, violence, delinquency, and school failure. 8

9 Risk and protective factors addressed in the Second Step Middle School Program Risk Factors Inappropriate classroom behavior Favorable attitudes towards violence and/or substance abuse Friends who engage in violence and/or substance abuse Early initiation of violence and/or substance abuse Peer rewards for antisocial behavior Peer rejection Impulsiveness Risk Factors Inappropriate classroom behavior Favorable attitudes towards violence and/or substance abuse Friends who engage in violence and/or substance abuse Early initiation of violence and/or substance abuse Peer rewards for antisocial behavior Peer rejection Impulsiveness Protective Factors Social skills School connectedness Adoption of conventional norms about substance abuse Protective Factors Social skills School connectedness Adoption of conventional norms about substance abuse

Bullying research Bullying escalates during these years, particularly at Grade 6. Bullying is a form of aggression. 10

Brain research New understanding of brain development in adolescence: –Logic and reasoning, planning, and problem- solving skills increase. –Self-control may not be completely developed until 10 years after early adolescence. Evidence of increased impact of substance abuse on adolescent brains 11

Developmental needs of young adolescents To interact with peers To have practical use for learning To self-reflect To shift type of activity frequently To move around 12

Program details Levels and lessons Teaching strategies Scope of program content

Levels and Lessons Each complete lesson requires 50 minutes to teach. Each lesson is divided into two parts that can be taught separately. 14 Grade 6 Stepping Up Handling new responsibilities 15 lessons Grade 7 Stepping In Decision making, staying in control 13 lessons Grade 8 Stepping Ahead Leadership, goal setting 13 lessons

Teaching strategies Use of DVD with rich multi-media content to accompany each lesson Carefully constructed approach to partner and group work: –Class discussion and activities –Partner or group exchanges –Individual, partner, or group activities –Partner or group skill practices Individual reflection Frequent review of core skills and concepts 15

Sample video: Skill practice demonstration Grade 8, Lesson 3: “Handling a Grievance” Click on link to view video. Must be in Slide Show view and connected to the Internet to view.

Dynamic Lesson Companion DVD Interviews with teens Video vignettes Video demonstrations of skill practice Audio segments Screens to guide activities and discussions Cartoons 17

Increasing student exposure to lesson content Additional practice activity Reflective writing assessment Homework Academic integration activities Journal pages 18

Five Program Themes The program includes the following five themes: Empathy and communication (all grades) Bullying prevention (all grades) Emotion management (all grades) Coping with stress (Grades 7 and 8) Problem solving (all grades) Decision making (Grade 7) Goal-setting (Grade 8) Substance abuse prevention (all grades) 19

Empathy and Communication Empathy skills Empathy—the ability to identify, understand, and respond thoughtfully to the feelings and perspectives of others. –Perspective taking –Checking assumptions 20

Empathy and Communication Communication skills Active listening Considering others’ perspectives Communicating assertively Giving constructive feedback Disagreeing respectfully Negotiating and compromising Handling a grievance 21

Empathy and Communication Working in groups Active listening (all grades) Respecting others’ ideas (all grades) Including everyone (Grades 7 and 8) Being open-minded (Grade 8) 22

Bullying prevention Recognizing bullying (all grades) Bystander responses (all grades) Grade 7: –Sexual harassment –Cyberbullying Grade 8: –Labels, stereotypes and prejudice –Bullying in friendships –Bullying in dating relationships 23

Sample video: Bullying prevention Grade 7, Lesson 5: Real Voices 24 Click on link to view video. Must be in Slide Show view and connected to the Internet to view.

Emotion management Staying in control Steps for staying in control (All grades) Focus on anger and checking assumptions (Grade 7) De-escalating tense situations (Grade 8) 25

Emotion Management Coping with stress The number and intensity of stressors increases in middle school. Students who cannot cope with stress are at risk for academic, emotional, and behavioral problems. Effective coping involves adopting a positive attitude and taking positive action. Taught in Grades 7 and 8. 26

Sample video: Emotion management and coping Grade 8, Lesson 8: “Emotion Management” 27 Click on link to view video. Must be in Slide Show view and connected to the Internet to view.

Problem solving, decision making, and goal-setting Using the Action Steps for: –Problem solving (all grades) –Decision making (Grade 7) –Goal-setting (Grade 8) 28

Substance abuse prevention Tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and inhalants Health, personal, and social consequences of using alcohol and other drugs Hope for the future Making good decisions about friends Perceptions of peer use Resistance skills Making a commitment 29

Sample video: Substance abuse prevention 30 Grade 6, Lesson 12 : “Facts About Addiction” Click on link to view video. Must be in Slide Show view and connected to the Internet to view.

Applying lesson content to academics Using Lesson Content Every Day section Self-regulated learning Academic integration activities –Language arts and social studies –Health/science –Media literacy Reflective writing assessment Alignment with numerous academic and life skills content standards

Program components Teacher’s Guide Lessons Lesson Companion DVD Teaching the Program DVD Resources CD-ROM Posters Supplemental materials Access to Second Step Middle School Web pages Lifetime program support 32 Available June 2008

Program Implementation Guide Comprehensive guidance to implementing the Second Step program schoolwide Program Implementation Guide includes: –Program Implementation Guide –All-Staff Overview DVD –Parent and Caregiver Overview DVD –Access to additional resources on Second Step Middle School Web site 33

Client support services Free support for the life of the program. Get help with: –Securing sponsorship and buy-in –Planning implementation –Exploring funding opportunities –Training staff –Involving families –Reinforcing skills –Evaluating your success –Teaching tips 34