Evaluating the Prevention Through Alternative Learning Styles Programs

• NCJ Number: 229511
• Journal: Journal of Drug Education Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: 2009 Pages: 239-259
• Author(s): Mary J. Huber; Judson Workman; Jo Ann Ford; Dennis Moore; Theresa Mayer
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 21 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ohio Dept of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services; Ohio Dept of Education Dept for Exceptional Children
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the implementation and effectiveness of the Prevention through Alternative Learning Styles (PALS) program, a 2-year alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) intervention aimed at both teachers and middle-school students.

Abstract

This article reports on the evaluation of a 2-year alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) intervention, the Prevention through Alternative Learning Styles (PALS)program, targeting both teachers and middle-school students. Teachers are taught to recognize students' unique learning styles in the context of the ATOD curriculum and adapt the ATOD messages to these learning styles. The student curriculum consists of five topic areas with two lessons per topic area. Student goals include enhancing students' knowledge of the effects of ATOD, promoting students' use of refusal skills, and decreasing students' intentions to use ATOD. The program was implemented in school districts in the greater Dayton, Ohio area. Support was found for the intervention's overall effectiveness in both years, with statistically significant improvements demonstrated by the students who participated in the PALS program. Students had an increase in their knowledge of ATOD topic areas and a decrease in their intentions to use ATOD. Tables, appendix, and references (Published Abstract)