|
Evaluation and Outcomes
The XY-Zone gets results. From 1999-2004, Peggy Smith, PhD of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, evaluated the XY-Zone, looking specifically at the program's effect on pregnancy prevention. Her results were published in a 2004 issue of the North American Journal of Psychology. There, she and her co-authors conclude:
| "The results of this study indicate that adolescents initiate risky behaviors at a young age. Thus, a school setting provides an effective forum to intervene with this age group. In particular, school-based programs can provide a safety net for young males who are not connected to the traditional healthcare system. Additionally, school-based programs can be effective in building skills that have an impact on reproductive health."(1) |
During the pilot evaluation period, none of the participants became fathers or had girlfriends who became pregnant during program participation.
Since then, the XY-Zone has broadened its scope to evaluate the way our holistic model impacts other areas. Since 2004, CIS has contracted with Anna Allen, MA, an independent evaluator based in Austin. Services are currently being evaluated for the 05-06 school year, with a focus on grades, attendance, risk-taking behaviors and developmental assets. Evaluation data from the past year demonstrate:
- Overall, 89% of the participants improved in academics, behavior, or attendance. This finding can be attributed to participation in the project, because the more a youth participated in XY-Zone services, the more likely he was to improve in at least one of the indicators.
- During the year, risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking, drug and alcohol use and sexual activity decreased among program participants.
- Participants were significantly more likely to "do things that help my community, like volunteering" on the post survey than on the pre survey.
- 95% of participants reported, "staff really cared about me."
| (1) Smith, Weinman, Buzi and Benton. "An Evaluation of a School-Based Pregnancy Prevention Program Aimed at Young Males: A One-Year Follow-Up." North American Journal of Psychology. p.281-292. |
|
