Evaluation of Evidence-Based Programs in DC Schools

Through a contract with the District of Columbia’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education and the Interagency Collaboration and Services Integration Commission (ICSIC), DSG conducted an evaluation of five evidence-based programs implemented in D.C. public schools.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The initiative addressed the needs of at-risk children through the implementation of the D.C. Student Assessment and Resilience Team (or D.C. START) program and other evidence-based programs in the public schools, including Primary Project, Second Step, LifeSkills Training, and School Resource Officers. This evaluation was guided by research questions related to student-level outcomes, school-level outcomes, and community-level outcomes.

A single-group pretest-posttest design was used to assess the effects of each program. Student-level outcomes examined changes in grades, school discipline incidents, attendance, and behaviorally specified targets of psychosocial and emotional development (e.g., personal development, level of functioning). School-level outcomes examined changes in truancy, drug use, violence prevention, delinquency, feelings of safety, fights on school grounds, weapons carrying, and school climate. We also conducted annual surveys of students, parents, and school personnel.

CONTACT US ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Please contact DSG President Marcia Cohen at mcohen@dsgonline.com or 301.951.0056.