PROGRAM EVALUATION
Research Based Results
Healing Species is not only
an innovative and cutting-edge method of addressing violence
prevention and truancy prevention, but Healing Species also
has proven results by outside, professional, researchers
regarding the highly-structured curriculum.
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Formal, district wide "in-house" evaluation
by Lexington School District One: The district
based their evaluation on a complex pre- and post-test
of each student and on teacher written-reports of observable
behavior changes in students after the 11-week Healing
Species program. This formal evaluation, headed by Dr.
Donna Shealy, Head of Guidance for Lexington One, was
conducted to determine if Healing Species should be
brought back. Based on their evaluation, Lexington One
signed a $42,000.00 contract to bring Healing Species
back to every elementary school in that district.
-
Formal study by the University of South Carolina
School of Social Work: Data was collected from
schools in several districts in South Carolina public
schools. The participants were representative of low,
middle, and high socioeconomic status (SES) levels.
Overall USC Social Work Evaluation results state, "the
program positively and significantly alters students'
beliefs about aggression, levels of empathy, and violent
and aggressive behaviors."
Statistical Results Across All SES Levels:
- Out-of-School suspensions for violent behavior decreased
by more than 50%
Aggression decreased significantly
- Choice-making based on empathy for others increased significantly
- Classroom behavior significantly improved
Results Using the Normative Beliefs About Aggression Scale
(NOBAGS):
- Retaliation aggression, general aggression, and total
aggression combined decreased by 62%
Results Using the Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescents
(IECA):
- Choice making using empathy increased by 42%
Results Using the Aggressive Behavior Teacher Checklist
(ABTC):
- Teachers rated displays of violence by students decreased
by 66.9%
Results by Review of Out-Of-School Suspensions for Physical
Fights:
- Suspensions decreased by over 55%
