Center for Adolescent Research in Schools Project

As the successful recipient of a $9 million, five-year (2008-2013) grant from the Institute of Educational Sciences, the Center for Adolescent Research in Schools (CARS) offers an exciting and unique opportunity to advance scientific and practical knowledge in a way that will guide the field towards a cohesive and effective approach for resolving the challenges experienced by this group of students.

The primary goal of this project is to develop and evaluate an intervention package to

reduce the fundamental challenges experienced by secondary students with serious behavioral disorders (SBD). Given the paucity of research with this age group, the group will use a multi-stage process of development, refinement, and valuation. A secondary goal is to conduct supplemental studies leading to improved outcomes for secondary students with SBD. The scope of the work is described below:

1) Finalize a preliminary intervention package based on synthesis of available

information/data on student need and interventions with preliminary efficacy

2) Refine the preliminary intervention package to determined key components that a) will be efficacious, b) will have a pervasive and generalized impact, and c) can be readily learned and implemented by typical school personnel

3) Evaluate the efficacy of intervention package across diverse educational settings

4) Conduct supplementary studies on key issues pertinent to understanding and improving outcomes for secondary students with SBD

Key staff attached to the project include: Lee Kern, PhD (PI, Lehigh University), Steven W. Evans, PhD (co-PI, James Madison University), Tim Lewis, PhD (co- PI, University of Missouri), and Mark Weist, PhD (University of Maryland). The Center for School Mental Health (CSMH), under the supervision of Dr. Mark Weist, is presently involved in several sub-projects of the grant, including an examination of federal and state-level classification of students with emotional and behavioral disorders, an assessment of school characteristics, and an analysis of the impact of educator stress on student outcomes. The CSMH will assist with the development and refinement of the intervention packages from Fall 2008 – Summer 2010, and, in the Fall of 2010 – Spring 2013, engage in the intervention administration and data collection process in the schools.

Intervention packages will be delivered to secondary schools in Pennsylvania (Allentown School District), Virginia (Rockingham County Public Schools), Missouri (Special School District, North Kansas City Schools), Maryland (Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools, Harford County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Public Schools), and Kentucky (Jefferson County Public Schools). Potential interventions fall into three categories: enhancing school and teacher capacity, building youth competence, and increasing family and community supports. The intervention foci, student challenges, and strategies are listed below.

The Center for School Mental Health is excited to be a part of this ground-breaking initiative. Interested persons can learn more about the CARS initiative at http://www.ies-cars.org/, or by contacting Christianna Andrews (CSMH CARS Project Coordinator) at candrews@psych.umaryland.edu.

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