Summary
Lions Quest: Skills for Adolescence, offered by Lions Club International, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL. It includes programming for grades 5-8 and demonstrates evidence of effectiveness at grades 5-7. Programming for grades K-4 are available in the companion program, Lions Quest: Skills for Growing. Translated materials for Lions Quest: Skills for Adolescence are available in 46 languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Middle (6-8)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home, Community
Cost
Pricing available through provider
# Lessons
19
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
Unspecified
Staffing Requirements
Unspecified
Professional Development
Onsite in-person, Virtual, Train the trainer
Outcomes
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Evidence of Effectiveness
Results from a randomized controlled trial conducted in the 1996–1997 school year (published in 2003) supported the effectiveness of Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence for middle school students. This evaluation took place in metropolitan areas in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and West U.S. and included 5,671 students in grade 6 (34% Latinx, 26% white, 18% Black). This evaluation found that students who participated in the program self-reported lower levels of drug and alcohol use compared to students in the comparison group (outcomes reported 12 months after baseline while controlling for outcome pretest). These effects persisted the following year (12 months after post-test and 24 months after pre-test); students who participated in the program were less likely to have engaged in self-reported drug and alcohol use compared to students in the comparison group.
Results from a quasi-experimental evaluation published in 2007 supported the effectiveness of Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence for middle school students. This evaluation included 716 Norwegian students in grades 5 to 7 (100% white). This evaluation found that students who participated in the program self-reported more positive substance use self-efficacy, and more positive perceptions of their own social skills and increased levels of school engagement (outcomes reported two years after baseline while controlling for outcome pretest). Students who participated in the program also self-reported lower levels of drug and alcohol use (outcomes reported two years after baseline).
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Eisen, M., Zellman, G. L., & Murray, D. M. (2003). Evaluating the Lions-Quest “Skills for Adolescence” drug education program: Second-year behavior outcomes. Addictive behaviors, 28(5), 883-897.
Malmin, G. (2007). It Is My Choice (Lions Quest) Evaluation Part 5: The Impact on the Behavior of the Students. Unpublished evaluation report.