Caile Spear

An evaluation of an abstinence education curriculum series: sex can wait.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of an abstinence education curriculum series on student outcomes. METHODS The series was taught at upper elementary, junior high, and high school levels. A questionnaire was administered to all intervention and comparison students before and after implementation of the curriculum. RESULTS At the upper elementary level, the curriculum group had better outcomes on knowledge, self-efficacy, and a more hopeful outlook; at the middle school level no differences; at the high school level, findings favored the curriculum group on attitude, behavioral intent, and sexual behavior variables. CONCLUSION Results are encouraging and should be considered by those interested in helping young people postpone sexual involvement.

Field Testing of an Abstinence-Based Sexuality Education Program for Upper Elementary School Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the upper elementary Sex Can Wait curriculum. Specifically, the study examined the effect of the Sex Can Wait curriculum on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of upper elementary students relative to sexuality. Subjects for the study were fifth and sixth grade students (n=287) from eight different elementary schools that had been recruited to participate in the project. Students from five schools participated in the curriculum taught by teachers who had participated in a special teacher training workshop. Students from the remaining three schools served as controls. Students in both groups were surveyed before and after implementation of the curriculum. Results indicated that students in the curriculum group increased in knowledge, evidenced higher scores on life skills, and reported a more positive attitude toward adolescent sexual abstinence. Findings should be considered by persons interested in educational programs designed to ...

Higher, Faster, Stronger, Drunker?

5 JOPERD • Volume 78 No. 3 • March 2007 When people think of athletic participation, many think of the benefi ts that accompany life as a star athlete. Sports typically provide an environment in which positive attitudes toward healthy competition, discipline, respect for authority, and social relationships are developed (Eitzen & Sage, 2003). Athletic activities also provide opportunities to develop self-esteem, teamwork, and goalsetting skills (Overman & Terry, 1991). It is commonly believed that participation in sports deters unhealthy behaviors (Barnett & Wright, 1994; Koss & Gains, 1993; Overman & Terry), such as drinking or smoking, because athletes fear it will negatively affect their training and performance or because they fear repercussions for breaking team rules. Unfortunately, some research suggests that the protective benefi ts of sports do not always hold true (Hildebrand, Johnson, & Bogel, 2001; Leichliter, Meilman, Presley, & Cashin, 1998; Nattiv & Puffer, 1991; Selby, Weinstein, & Bird, 1990; Weschler & Davenport, 1997). The infl uence of the media and corporate sport sponsors (Crompton, 1993; Eitzen & Sage, 2003) and the easy access to alcohol (Gruenwald, Johnson, & Treno, 2002) have contributed to a surprising increase in alcohol abuse and related risky behaviors among athletes. Evidence suggests that male athletes drink alcohol more often and in larger amounts than male non-athletes (Wilson, Pritchard, & Schaffer, 2004). Researchers have also concluded that college athletes, whether male or female, abuse alcohol at higher rates than nonathletes (Gutgesell, Moreau, & Thompson, 2003; Hildebrand et al.; Weschler & Davenport, 1997). Alcohol abuse is often accompanied by other serious problems such as automobile accidents, unplanned sexual activity, and sexual aggression leading to unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2000; Frintner & Rubinson, 1993; Henry Kaiser Family Foundation, 2002; Weschler & Davenport, 1997). Although research about the problems with alcohol abuse and alcohol-related risk behaviors among male athletes is well developed, such issues have been infrequently explored specifi cally for female athletes (Lynch, Mowrey, Nesbitt, & O’Neill, 2004). In light of the increasing number of girls participating in sports, the pressures associated with “big time sports,” and interest in preventing alcohol-related problems in female athletes, the purpose of this viewpoint is to examine the prevalence of alcohol abuse in female athletes and to provide coaches and teachers with suggestions for education and prevention.

The Effects of Faculty Status, Faculty Gender, Field of Study, and Class Size on the Use of Blogs, Wikis, and Discussion Boards

This study examined facultys use of time intensive Web 2.0 technologies blogs, discussion forums, and wikis in teaching during a universitys quest for higher research productivity and higher ranking in the Carnegie Classification. Results show there was a difference in using Web 2.0 technologies in teaching between faculty with different status tenure track and non-tenure track, male and female instructors, and among faculty members in different disciplinary areas. The study also reports how class sizes impacted facultys use of time-consuming technologies in teaching across disciplines. Findings indicate the importance of planning and building technological changes and integration into an organizational strategic planning process to ensure continuing and effective integration of technology in teaching.

Stop the Tears of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Abstract Objectives: By participating in this Stop the Tears teaching strategy, students will be able to: (1) analyze how alcohol and drug abuse could affect their lives as well as the lives of their friends and family and, (2) create a media message, such as a poster, pamphlet, poem, or song, in which alcohol and drug prevention is advocated specific to how alcohol and drug abuse has affected students in their school. Target Audience: Students in grades 6-12 and lower-division college students.