All Stars

COUNTRY: UNITED STATES

REGION: AMERICAS

Developer: Dr. William B. Hansen, Tanglewood Research, Inc.

Program Overview: All stars uses a classroom based curriculum in an attempt to reduce alcohol consumption, drug use, sexual activity, and violence among middle school students.

Program Design: The classroom curriculum is based largely in Social Learning Theory, and attempts to reduce high risk behaviors through four main tactics:

1. Influencing perceptions related to alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence
2. Increase normative beliefs regarding abstinence
3. Asking students to make personal commitments to abstain from drugs, sex, and violent behavior
4. Promote stronger attachments between students and their schools

The curriculum is designed to be used by trained specialists or teachers. Teachers or specialists deliver lessons to whole classrooms, small groups, and to individuals in one-on-one sessions. Materials incorporate interactive components like debates, games, and discussions. 

Program materials have undergone updates, and the most recent versions can be accessed at the program website.

Evaluation: Program effects on changes in behavior were evaluated using a randomized controlled study of 14 middle schools and 1,655 students. Five schools were randomly assigned to use specialists, three used teachers, and six were controls. Questionnaires were used to assess alcohol consumption, drugs use, sexual activity, violence, and mediating behaviors at pre-test, post-test, and one year follow up. 

Key findings¹: The evaluation found that students participating in the All Stars curriculum, compared to control students reported statistically significant:

• Reductions in alcohol consumption 
• Lower rates of cigarette and inhalant use 

Significant effects were not observed for marijuana use or sexual activity.

Program Website: www.allstarsprevention.com

References:

1. McNeal, R. B., Jansen, W. B., Harrington, N. G., & Giles, S. M. (2004). How All Stars works: An examination of program effects on mediating variables. Health Education & Behavior, 31(2), 165-178.

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