NCJ Number
168033
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A citizenship/law-related education program was implemented during the 1995-1996 school year at the Bell Gardens Intermediate School in Montebello, California, to prevent violent and antisocial behavior by upper elementary and middle school students.
Abstract
The program integrated citizenship/law-related instructional materials with the existing social studies curriculum for 5th and 6th grades. Goals were to inform students about issues of authority, justice, community, violence, and the role of law and public institutions in resolving conflict; to increase cognitive and social skills; and to develop more positive attitudes toward law, authority, school, prosocial behavior, and the community. The program was evaluated by comparing student participants with nonparticipants. Evaluation findings showed the program had a positive and significant effect on attitudes toward authority, prosocial behavior, self-control, and attitudes toward the community. All students thought other students in the school should study the citizenship/law-related instructional materials. Recommendations for improving the curriculum are offered.