The Unique Minds School Program

Initiative Description: Program was offered to elementary school students 119 students and their teachers over 2 consecutive school years. The program consisted of 30 minute weekly lessons delivered by the teacher. Repeated observations of Grade 4 students were gathered at three points in time during the course of two consecutive school years. 13 classrooms (intervention = 6, comparison = 7). At baseline, UMSP was offered in four grade levels (K, 1, 4, 5) and was in its second year of implementation. At the end of the study (Year 2), the UMSP was offered school-wide (K-5). Teachers attended an initial 2-hr formal-training workshop and periodic 45-min meetings interspersed throughout the school years; averaging 6.2 hours of training per school year. Teacher consultation was offered on an individual basis.

Study Results: Results indicated that the program was successful in improving gains in student self-efficacy, problem-solving, and math grades.

Reference: Linares, L. O., Rosbruch, N., Stern, M. B., Edwards, M. E., Walker, G., Abikoff, H. B., & Alvir, J. M. J. (2005). Developing cognitive-social-emotional competencies to enhance academic learning. Psychology in the Schools, 42(4), 405-417

Level of Evidence: Very Good