National Evaluation of G.R.E.A.T.

• NCJ Number: 167264
• Author(s): F-A Esbensen; D W Osgood
• Date Published: November 1997
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Research in Brief
• Grant Number(s): 94-IJ-CX-0058
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

During the 1980's and 1990's, gang affiliation by young people and their involvement in criminal activity became a major concern for law enforcement and the public, and the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program was developed to reduce adolescent involvement in gangs and criminal behavior.

Abstract

The GREAT curriculum was designed to help students learn about crime victimization, conflict resolution, drug effects on neighborhoods, responsibility, and goal setting. A national evaluation of GREAT consisted of a two-pronged approach: (1) preliminary study comparing students who completed GREAT with others who did not participate or who enrolled but failed to finish; and (2) longitudinal quasi-experimental design assessing both short-term and long-term effects of GREAT. The evaluation was based on 5,935 eighth grade students from 42 schools in 11 locales where GREAT was taught. Preliminary results indicated students who completed GREAT lessons reported more prosocial behaviors and attitudes than their peers who did not finish the program or who failed to participate in the first place. Results also demonstrated students who completed GREAT lessons had lower rates of self-reported delinquency and gang membership, more communication and attachment with parents, greater commitment to schools, and fewer perceived obstacles to academic achievement. 11 notes and 2 exhibits