Student Training Through Urban Strategies (Project STATUS)

This Program No Longer Exists

Project STATUS is a school-based program that helps students become active, responsible members of their community. Based on the belief that isolating students in book-learning environments fails to inspire commitment to schools and belief in social rules, the Project provides a more challenging and relevant educational experience. It increases students' pro-social behaviors by providing contact with positive adult role models, enhancing stakes in conformity, and altering peer relationships.

The program targets junior and senior high school students, and students at-risk for dropping out of school. An evaluation of Project STATUS showed significant beneficial effects for intervention students, compared to control students, including:

  • Less total delinquency for all students and less serious delinquency for high school students.
  • Less drug involvement for junior high students.
  • Less negative peer influence.
  • Greater academic success, including higher grades and perceptions of schools as less punishing.
  • Greater social bonding, including greater attachment to school for junior high students; and increased self-concept, attachment to school, interpersonal competency, involvement, months on roll, and less alienation for high school students.

    Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, 1999