Model Programs Database

Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT) is a school-based intervention for the prevention of conduct problems such as aggressive and antisocial behavior, involvement with delinquent peers, and drug/alcohol use. LIFT was designed to decrease the likelihood of two major factors that put children at risk for subsequent antisocial behavior and delinquency: (1) aggressive and other socially incompetent behaviors with teachers and peers at school; and (2) ineffective parenting, including inconsistent and inappropriate discipline and lax supervision. The main goal of LIFT is to decrease childrens' antisocial behavior and increase their prosocial behavior.

Program Descriptors Include:
Behavior Management/Discipline, Bullying/Violence, Family/Parental Involvement, Substance Abuse, Life Skills Training

Starting Date: Unspecified
Students Served Per Year: Unspecified
Last Verified: 2009

Program addresses the following:

Individual factors

• Has a learning disability or emotional disturbance
• High-risk peer group
• High-risk social behavior
• Misbehavior
• Early aggression

Family factors

• Low contact with school

Community factors

• Youth social attitudes

Program promotes the following:

Relationships

• Clear social norms
• Involvement with positive peer activities

Independence

• Healthy/conventional beliefs and standards

Competence

• Social competencies

Optimism

• High expectations by community, family, school, and self

LIFT was evaluated using a randomized, intervention trial using a pre-test/post-test assessment with yearly follow-ups through interviews, questionnaires, observations, and school and court records. LIFT had the greatest impact on those with the highest initial aggressive behavior. Post-intervention results revealed: a significant decrease in observed aggressive behavior on the LIFT playgrounds, especially for those rated most aggressive at pre-test; and significant increase in positive classroom behavior. At a three-year follow-up, compared to the control group, 5th grade participants were: less likely to affiliate with misbehaving peers, less likely to be involved in patterned alcohol use, less likely to have tried marijuana, and less likely to be arrested by the age of 14.

How evaluation data was collected:
Data collected and analyzed at state or organizational level