RIPPLE FINAL REPORT FOR 2005- 2006

Over the past four years, the RIPPLE program has seen a continued increase in meeting our goals and objectives and has proven to be a successful program at combating drug abuse and violent behavior in participants.

The program began as Youth Track, under Director Betty Pier in the early 1990’s. Three years ago, Pier retired and passed the program along to Director Jackie Simmons, who formed RIPPLE. As RIPPLE, the program has taken several new directions and has grown significantly.

One of the major benefits the program has acquired is use of the school building, which we feel has been a major asset to our program. This allows the student’s to spend more time at the program, while spending less time traveling to and from a site. Another key structure the RIPPLE program has access to is the Heart and Hand building in Junior, which is used to implement a summer program component and can also be used for fundraisers, advisory board meetings, or whatever needs may arise. This year, we also received a $500 mini-grant to purchase materials to institute a “Family Night” once a month.

Throughout the course of last year’s program, 45 different students enrolled and participated in structured class sessions either during the school year or during the summer session. Of the 45 students, 18 continued to attend class regularly throughout the school year. Of those students, 11 also chose to participate in the summer program.

Each year, we experience nearly the same decline in attendance at the same point in the school year. We have attributed the decline of program participants leaving to joining school-sponsored sports (i.e. basketball). We have also noticed an influx of students following the basketball season. The remaining 18 core students, those attending two or more sessions a week, have showed measurable success by attaining high test scores on in-class quizzes, along with role play scenario’s, worksheets, creative writing exercises and designing posters that display their mastery of the skills.

Of the 230 students currently enrolled at Belington Middle School, we have provided service to nearly 20 percent of the total student body. During the 2005-2006 term, 84 members of the community have benefited from our services through various programs and activities.

Our goal #1 stated that Belington Middle School youth participating in the program would exhibit a decrease in violent and disrespectful behavior while exhibiting an increase in pro-social and neutral behavior.

Our objective #1 stated that at least 50% of program participants will demonstrate mastery of the Second Step curriculum  “skill steps” for empathy, impulse control and anger management. Our baseline data, taken from the Belington Middle School Pride Survey, showed that 60% of students who completed the survey reported threatening to harm another student.

For RIPPLE students, our Second Step goals and objectives data has showed much improvement over the past three years. In 2003-2004 the pre/post tests showed 40% of our students scoring an 80% or higher on the post-test given at the end of the year. Last year 100% of our students exceeded in making an 80% or higher on the post-test (Only 25% of students had made a passing score during the pre-test). This year, we were just as successful with 100% of our students exceeding in making an 80% or higher on the post-test (only 30% of our students succeeded in making a passing score on the pre-test). Furthermore, 100% of the programs 45 various participants have completed at least one form of written or oral exercises from the second step curriculum.

During the 2005-2006 school year, a majority of RIPPLE students also saw an improvement in academic achievement. Of the 18 core students, 15 saw an increase in grade point averages from the first to second semester. One student even maintained a 4.0 grade point average for the entire year.

RIPPLE students also saw a decrease in negative behaviors according to individual disciplinary reports. Of the 45 total students, 32 (71 percent) showed a decrease in school violations from the first to second semester. Of the 18 core students, 14 (78 percent) showed a reduction in violations, while 2 students finished the year with zero rule violations.

Our objective #2, Program Participants will show a 25% increase in their knowledge of the dangers of substance abuse through completion of the Project Drug Free: Reach for the Stars Curriculum, has also been successful. Although this was the first year we integrated the supplemental curriculum, the students responded by achieving a 60% increase in the knowledge of the dangers of substance abuse (as determined by pre and post tests of their knowledge on the subject).

To achieve these goals and objectives, we scheduled weekly lessons from the curriculums, social bonding time, role-play scenarios and social outings. According to overall achievement on graded exercises, 95% of the program’s 18 core participants can successfully identify and complete the skills learned from both the Second Step curriculum and Project Drug Free.

Our goal #2 stated that program participants would show an increased interest in school and community activities.

For our objective, we stated that at least 50% of program participants would complete two community service projects during the 2005-2006 project period. Our baseline data taken from the Pride Survey results for Belington Middle School showed that 53.6% of student’s seldom/never participate in community activities.

Over the past three years, RIPPLE participants have enthusiastically completed our community service goals and objectives. During our first year, participants had a 66% participation rate for completing the community service projects. Last year, our community service projects saw a 84% participation rate. This year we were again successful with our first project having a 90% participation rate. Unfortunately, our second project fell just shy by getting a 47% rate, which could be attributed to a high number of students absent on the day the project was to be conducted. Of all the projects completed, 100% of the students participating also filled out a student satisfaction survey on the project.

Objective #2 stated that at least 50% of program participants shall participate in weekly pro-social activities. Our baseline data shows that 42% of students report seldom/never joining in school activities (Pride Survey).

Participation in pro-social activities has always been above 75% for RIPPLE students. The kids are strongly encouraged to participate in all activities offered. Our participants have been extremely adamant about group activities of this nature. Basketball is the favorite among participants. During the final few months of the 2004-2005 program, we acquired a volunteer who offered to help out with supervision and provided transportation. This allowed us to take our participants to the movies, Pizza Hut and Valley Worlds of Fun. He continued to help out last year and has once again committed to helping plan several activities for this school year.

RIPPLE Students have also been successful in joining extra curricular activities when they reach the high school level. Of the 45 students participating during the 2005-2006 school year, 15 of 21 (71 percent) eighth grade RIPPLE students are currently participating in team activities such as varsity football, soccer, band and golf, according to Philip Barbour High School rosters. More students are expected to join other activities, including varsity basketball and track, when those seasons begin. The remaining 24 students are still at the middle school level. Of those students, nine have already signed up to rejoin RIPPLE for the 2006-2007 school year.

Our goal #3 stated parents shall exhibit more consistent ruling with their children about violence and drug use, thus providing a more structured parent/child relationship.

Our objective #1 stated that at least 90% of parents or guardians shall contribute to the program by providing time for supervision, transportation and donations. According to the 2004 Belington Middle School Needs Assessment, base line data shows that parental involvement is at 76% for the school. 

            Parental participation for the program has always been high. Their participation has steadily been over 90%, allowing us to increase our objective for parental participation from 75% during the 2003-2004 program to 90% parental participation expectation for the past two years. This past year, we once again had a 90% rate of parental participation. Parents have been very willing to pick up their child every day from our program or car pool when necessary. Parents have always provided donations of food or chaperoning when asked. Parents have also joined in during our weekly pro-social activities, which we feel helps to strengthen parent-child bonding. More impressively, 26 adult members of the community (including parents and advisory board members) have provided time to assist with supervision and donations during “Family Night” activities.

Objective #2 stated that 60% of Parents or guardians shall complete one session of the Second Step Parenting Program per semester. Baseline data shows that 36.2% of parents never or seldom talk to their kids about drugs/alcohol and 20.3% never enforce rules (Pride survey).

            Although our parent program was off to a rocky start during the 2003-2004 project period, the program has really been much more successful over the past two years. The facilitators have lowered the amount of lessons required, but have tried alternative methods in delivering the curriculum (take home letters, one-on-one visits). This has increased the parental participation levels dramatically (80% of parents completed take-home worksheets from the Second Step Parent Program). 

The conclusion of our evaluation shows clear improvement over the past four years. Test scores are up, we have better parental participation and students have been exceeding our expectations for meeting our community service and weekly pro-social activity goals.