An Alternative to Suspension for Middle School Youths With Behavior Problems: Findings From a "School Survival" Group

A group intervention for middle school youths with behavior problems was tested. Eighty-four subjects were randomly assigned to "school survival" groups or "attention-only" groups. The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale (N-SLCS) was used to measure shifts in subjects' lo cus of control. Subjects completed the N-SLCS at pretest, posttest, and I-month follow-up. Sub jects who participated in school survival groups reported statistically significant shifts to a more internal locus of control as compared with subjects who participated in attention-only groups. These shifts were maintained 4 weeks after treatment. Because an internal locus of control has been shown to be a correlate of school success, it appears that the school survival group holds promise as an effective alternative to suspension.