NCJ Number
194564
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 353-366
Date Published
2001
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Focusing on both program process and effectiveness, this evaluation was conducted to determine the overall effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP).
Abstract
In Pennsylvania, the State Department of Education has provided leadership in the implementation and operation of SAP since 1984. The Pennsylvania model uses school-based SAP teams and focuses on students who are experiencing barriers to learning related to substance abuse and mental health problems. The students are identified, assessed, and linked to supportive services in the community and school. The SAP is promulgated through a Department of Education training system that supports SAP teams, policies, and procedures. For the SAP evaluation, five data-collection strategies were used: statewide surveys of SAP team members and county administrators, focus groups, site visits, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education SAP Database. A total of 1,204 individual team members from 154 schools completed the team member survey. A total of 53 county administrators completed the county-administrator survey. Focus groups were composed of SAP coordinators, school board personnel, and community agency staff. Site visits were conducted at five schools. The evaluation findings indicated that SAP in Pennsylvania was being implemented as designed. The evaluation recommends the development of benchmarks and indicators that focus on the best SAP practices and the extent to which various indicators of the effectiveness of SAP are occurring at appropriate levels. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 13 references