Contributions to School-Related Risk and Protective Factors, Five Years after a Municipal Youth and Family Master Plan

Academic Development Institute. 121 North Kickapoo Street, Lincoln, IL 62656. Tel: 1-800-759-1495; Web site: http://www.schoolcommunitynetwork.org/

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35

Program Effectiveness; Community Programs; Risk Management; Resilience (Psychology); Academic Failure; Academic Persistence; Prosocial Behavior; Rewards; Student Participation; Youth Programs; Intervention; Grade 8; Grade 10; Grade 12; Secondary School Students; Change Strategies; Governance; Family Involvement; Community Involvement; School Role

1059-308X
1059-308X

This study assesses the impact of five years of community level activities in the Pomona Youth and Family Master Plan (PYFMP) on four school-related risk and protective factors including academic failure, low school commitment, school opportunities for prosocial involvement, and school rewards for prosocial involvement. The intervention and assessment were guided by an integrated conceptual framework which combined social cognitive theory and the risk and protective factors approach. The study conducted same and independent group comparisons of school-related risk and protective factors in 2005-06 (N = 3,967), and 2009-10 (N = 2,693). Two-proportion z-tests were performed at an alpha of 0.05 in four methods of comparative analysis including the following: same students, inter-grade change, same grade, and overall 2005-06 to 2009-10 comparisons. Trends for both school opportunities for prosocial involvement and academic failure were positive on all methods of analysis. Results for school rewards for prosocial involvement and low school commitment showed both negative and positive trends. There is a likelihood the interventions contributed to observed variations between baseline and follow-up because parents, teachers, and students were participants in community intervention activities; there were no other major community initiatives; and there is a convergence of data patterns across methods of comparative analysis and assessed factors. Specific recommendations are provided for community intervention program implementers in Pomona and other poorly resourced communities.

As Provided

2024

EJ1412856