But while schools in the United States now spend tens of millions
of dollars each year to implement conflict resolution, violence prevention,
and social development programs, how do educators and other concerned
individuals know that their efforts are likely to lead to positive results?
The "best practice" approach uses scientific research to determine
which programs have been shown to produce positive effects.
Typical research approaches include studying two different groups of students:
Students that have been randomly chosen to receive the program that is
being studied, and
A similar group of students that have been randomly chosen not to receive
any special type conflict resolution or violence prevention program.
Both groups of students are measured repeatedly at the same time of the year
and statistical methods are used to see whether students who have received
the program show better results than those students who didn't receive any special program.
Programs that show positive results in rigorous research may be
considered "best practice" programs.
Over the last twenty to thirty years, relatively high quality scientific
research has demonstrated an increasing number of youth violence
prevention programs to be effective.
More recently, a number of national agencies and organizations have
reviewed research literature and produced lists of programs that meet
the criteria to be considered national best practice programs.
All programs listed on this web site have been found worthy to be
included in one or more of these national best practice lists.
