NCJ Number
180282
Date Published
1996
Length
78 pages
Annotation
A resource packet developed for use in secondary schools in England was evaluated using information collected in interviews of 80 students ages 11-14 years, 50 teachers, and 30 parents in 19 schools in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Swansea.
Abstract
The research took place in 1993-94 in the 19 schools that piloted resource materials titled "Drug Studies: Projects and Resources for Use in the National Curriculum" and produced by the Lambeth Drugs Prevention Team. Teachers regarded the Drug Studies Pack as a valuable and interesting resource. They believed that it had raised the status and image of drug education in schools through its intellectual approach, practical points, and varied resources. Teachers familiar with teaching drug education were supportive of the teaching materials, but teachers without such experience reported that both the varied teaching methods and the contents were difficult to grasp. Teachers generally regarded the pack as one of the better curriculum resources. All believed that the pack required improvements in several areas. In addition, factors external to the pack itself influenced its use. Moreover, both teachers and parents were concerned about students' ages when receiving the education and the level of information given. Students stated that they wanted more drug education; many also regarded the drug education as too negative and different from their experiences or knowledge. Overall, the three important factors that determined the effectiveness of each school's responses to the teaching pack were whether the school had or was developing a policy on drugs, whether the school had developed a drug education, and the school's policy on pupil exclusion. Appended instrument, sample materials, and methodological information and 35 references