Evaluation of the Impact of Choice Program on Truancy Reduction Among Eighth Graders in Chernihiv, Ukraine

INTRODUCTION: Research shows that truancy predicts 97% of first-time drug use (Seeley 2008a). Truancy is also related to delinquency and substance use. The CHOICE prevention program aims to prevent substance use, HIV/AIDS and crime among adolescents. Results of a school survey conducted prior to program enrollment among 466 eighth graders (13-14 years old) in October 2012 in the City of Chernihiv, Ukraine, indicated that 124 students out of 226 eighth graders (54.9%) of the intervention group truanted at least one lesson within the past 30 days. For the control group, 100 students out of 240 (41.7%) committed truancy in the same period.  Given these findings, the third phase of research was conducted and CHOICE was implemented in 10 schools of Chernihiv. Among the primary goals were to evaluate the impact of CHOICE on truancy reduction among eighth graders and provide data for program improvement. CHOICE is a school-based program that consists of 10 sessions. Pedagogical University students, Law College cadets and juvenile delinquency police officers conduct the program for eighth graders. Evaluation of CHOICE includes both a process and outcome evaluation.

METHODS: The truancy rate was assessed through a survey conducted in October 2012 in 20 eighth grade classes (around 600 students) in 10 schools of the City of Chernihiv. This baseline assessment included 12 questions with regards to their behavior in the past 30 days. There was a question on how many lessons they truanted in the past 30 days, with options to respond: 0, 1, 2, 3, more than 3. The survey included pre and post phases. The pre survey conducted just before the intervention  was implemented  The post survey was conducted in February-March 2013, approximately 30 days after the program ended. Among 20 eight grade classes, 10 were in the intervention group and the other 10 were as the control group.

RESULTS: At the post assessment, for those who participated in CHOICE, 35.1% (80 students out of 228) reported having committed truancy in the past 30 days; 19.8 % less than at baseline. For the control group, 51.5% (106 eighth graders out of 206) reported having committed truancy in the past 30 days; 9.8% more than at baseline.

CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate effectiveness of CHOICE with regards to truancy reduction due to the difference between control and intervention groups as well pre and post surveys results. The program is being expanded to 16 schools of Chernihiv and Odesa in order to conduct further research on what appears to be a promising prevention program.