Research Validates BrainWise

Posted On: June 23, 2002

During the 2000-2001 school year, an independent evaluation of BrainWise was conducted by OMNI Research and Training, a national firm specializing in the independent assessment of social programs. Its study of the program employed both pre and post test standardized measures, focus groups and secondary analysis of data to evaluate 7th graders in both a control and a comparison school. Study participants were students considered to be ‘at risk’. When outcomes at the two schools were compared, BrainWise students showed a statistically significant decrease in reports of physical aggression and feelings of sadness, loneliness and being upset.

The study also found that because of the program, BrainWise students demonstrated an increased awareness of and use of important social skills. Those skills included:

* Information gathering and communication
* Conflict de-escalation and negotiation
* Assertiveness and honesty
* Obtaining of outside help
* Understanding of consequences
* Avoidance of lying, fighting and disrespecting others

The study stated: “If we observe the changes in physical aggression and feeling lonely/ sad as a bellwether indicator of other life changes, we see that School A (BrainWise) students learned to make choices that prevent problems. These findings are further strengthened by the fact that the basic level of support that adults offer in the lives of School A (BrainWise) students was substantially less than among the comparison group students at School B. The idea that they could make any change in the wake of lacking adult involvement is remarkable.”

For more information about this and other studies, contact Brainwise at info@brainwise-plc.org

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