ETD RECORD
An exploratory case study examining and describing the barriers and incentives to utilizing best practices and guiding principles in secondary school substance abuse programs
Citation
Esp, Susan Michele.. (2007). An exploratory case study examining and describing the barriers and incentives to utilizing best practices and guiding principles in secondary school substance abuse programs. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/etd_29.html
- Title:
- An exploratory case study examining and describing the barriers and incentives to utilizing best practices and guiding principles in secondary school substance abuse programs
- Author:
- Esp, Susan Michele.
- Date:
- 2007
- Keywords:
- Substance abuse--Northwest Pacific--Prevention--Case studies School children--Substance use--Northwest Pacific--Prevention--Case studies
- Program:
- Education
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the use of best practices and guiding principles in secondary school substance abuse prevention programs. It looked at school's knowledge of, access to and common understanding of how they implement these practices and what they view as the barriers and incentives to adopting best practices. In contrast to previous investigations reporting that schools under-utilize these practices, the intent of this qualitative case study was to closely examine this from the perspective of those "in the field." This researcher wanted to give voice to those who work in the schools and provide these services.;A case study was conducted with three school districts. Fifteen professionals from these districts, 5 from District #1, 8 from District #2 and 2 from District #3, agreed to participate in this study. They were chosen for this study from a list of schools using the common criteria of the presence of a safe and drug free school coordinator and the offering of substance abuse prevention program services for students in the district.;Seven themes emerged from this study: (1) Lack of Knowledge, (2) Type of Training, (3) Resources, (4) Influence, (5) Lack of Parental Involvement, (6) Selective and Indicated vs. Universal Services, and (7) Communication. These themes provided an outline of how the programs were developed and defined, how they were organized and whether best practices and guiding principles were utilized in this process and if not, what inhibited or blocked that process.;The results from this study provided additional evidence that schools are experiencing difficulties utilizing best practices and guiding principles. Results from this study indicated that schools are not assessing risk and protective factors, they do not have specific program goals, programs were often chosen due to popularity, adopted programs were not always implemented or implemented with fidelity, valid evaluation tools were not being utilized, parental involvement was limited and outcomes were not being reported to the public.
- Description:
- Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, May 1, 2007.
- Major Professor:
- Jerry McMurtry.
- Defense Date:
- May 1, 2007.
- Type:
- Text
- Format Original:
- xii, 168 leaves ;29 cm.
- Format:
- record
Rights
- Rights:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted. For more information, please contact University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu.
- Standardized Rights:
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/