Onward to Outcomes in the School of the Future

• Main Author: Millea, Susan
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: For full text: http://rtckids 01.02.1996
• Subjects: Agency Cooperation; Behavior Disorders; Early Intervention; Elementary Secondary Education; Emotional Disturbances; Integrated Services; Low Income Groups; Minority Group Children; Preschool Education; Program Effectiveness

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive school-based service program in Texas. The "School for the Future" project was a 5-year demonstration project in 4 Texas cities that was designed to develop and coordinate health and social services though targeted schools in low income, predominately ethnic minority locales. Services were provided for children from pre-natal care through age 15 and their families. Each site received a grant of $50,000 per year for 5 years that essentially provided salary and benefits for one full-time position, the Project Coordinator, and a small operating budget. The purpose was to develop a potentially replicable, affordable model of comprehensive service delivery which could be used in localities with limited financial resources. The study sample includes all students enrolled in the target schools and measured changes in students' mental health, self-esteem, and perceptions of school climate. Results showed that although there were considerable outcomes in the community which can be linked to the intervention, there were no changes in student mental health, self-esteem, or school climate which could be linked to the intervention. (CR)