Summary
Peer Group Connection – High School, offered by the Center for Supportive Schools, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL where 11th and 12th grade students facilitate sessions with 9th grade students. It includes programming for grades 9-12 and demonstrated evidence of effectiveness at grade 9. Translation of all program materials are available in Spanish.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Peer Group Connection – High School features strategies for working with bias and customizing for context. This includes training for faculty advisors explicitly focused on unpacking and understanding unconscious bias. Additionally, peer leaders are given resources to adjust and customize activities to best meet the needs of the younger students they are working with.
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)
High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Community
Language
English, Spanish
Cost
Pricing available through provider
# Lessons
Year-long credit-bearing course
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
For additional information please contact the provider
Staffing Requirements
For additional information please contact the provider
Professional Development
Virtual, Offsite
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from a randomized controlled trial evaluation conducted in the 2016-2017, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 academic years (unpublished report written in 2021) supported the effectiveness of Peer Group Connection -High School for high school students. This evaluation included 1,260 grade 9 students in rural school districts in the U.S. Southeast region (43% white, 36% Black/African American, 12% Hispanic/Latinx; 70% of student body eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL) at participating schools). This evaluation found that students receiving instruction using Peer Group Connection -High School showed significantly greater growth in student-report school attachment and educational expectations compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported approximately nine months after baseline, while controlling for outcome pre-test and relevant demographic covariates).
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Jenner, E., Lass, K., Walsh, S., Demby, H., Leger, R., & Falk, G. (2021). Effects of Cross-Age Peer Mentoring Program Within a Randomized Controlled Trial. Unpublished.