Stay on Track - Our Focus
Target:
The National Guard is currently implementing the Stay on Track program in middle school, grades six through eight. NCPRS has additional Stay on Track curriculum materials in development, designed to reach students in grades three through five. NCPRS is currently developing the fifth in a series of activity books designed for use by children in grades kindergarten through second.
Objectives:
The Stay on Track curriculum is designed to reduce future substance abuse by middle school students. Special emphasis is given to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalant, club drug, methamphetamine, and prescription drug use, due to their prominence among middle school students.
Factors Addressed:
The protective factors associated with the curriculum include knowledge of the consequences of alcohol/tobacco/drug use, stress management skills, normative behavior, decision-making skills, goal-setting skills, communication skills, knowledge of the influence of media on substance abuse, and school/peer/parental bonding.
Components:
The Stay on Track classroom kit contains all items not normally used by teachers. The Crew Chief's Handbook contains a CD with all of the overhead displays necessary for implementation. The kit also contains a DVD with all necessary supporting videos and presentations. Black line masters are included in each applicable lesson, should the implementer desire to produce overhead transparencies. Students receive a Driver's Manual, with integral Your Turn at the Wheel take-home assignments to encourage parental interaction in the program.
Number of Lessons and Length:
The program is divided into three levels corresponding to the three grade levels addressed (Level 1 = 6th grade, Level 2 = 7th grade, and Level 3 = 8th grade). Each level contains twelve lessons of (approximately) 45 minute duration. The lessons are divided into four units (Health Education, Decision Making and Goal Setting, Improving Communication Skills and Interpersonal Relations, and Medial (external) Influences), of three lessons each.
Activities:
Highly interactive games, small groups, discussions, brainstorming, role play, recordings, question and answer, writing and reading exercises and research projects are designed to appeal to all types of learners.
Expert Panel:
Stay on Track was developed by NCPRS staff, University of Maryland's Center for Substance Abuse Research, and a multidisciplinary team of researchers, teachers, administrators, health professionals, racers, law enforcement officers, parents, and young people.
- Additional Stay on Track information: Executive Summary About SOT