"The experiment is unique because its rigorous scientific design was developed in partnership with the Baltimore schools and communities, and it demonstrates long-term benefit into adulthood of an intervention begun in first grade. It shows helping all children in a classroom benefits those at most risk, without labeling or isolating the high-risk students."

Dr. Brown said he hoped national attention drawn to the Good Behavior Game would spur other school districts across the country to adopt the program.

In the meantime, the USF team continues to develop advanced statistical methods to evaluate the long-term effects of other community-based prevention programs. Known as the Prevention Science and Methodology Group (PSMG), the researchers are currently testing several different approaches to reducing suicides in youth and examining the impact of school-based drug prevention programs in rural communities. The goal is to identify preventive strategies with a track record of improving the educational success and mental health of children and encourage wider use of these programs.

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Contact: Anne DeLotto Baier
abaier@hsc.usf.edu
813-974-3300
University of South Florida Health
16-Feb-2005