Effectiveness of Student Assistance Programs

The broad goals of Student Assistance Programs are to reduce students' behavioral and disciplinary violations and substance use habits while improving school attendance and academic performance through the referral and facilitation of appropriate services. Although SAPs proliferated across the nation in the 1980’s and were adopted by individual schools, districts, and entire states, few evaluations documenting the results of these programs were ever published. Nevertheless, evaluations of programs that fit a general model of SAP-type programs can be used to provide empirical, if not rigorous, evidence concerning the efficacy of these models in achieving certain outcomes for students served. The following outcomes were found for students served by SAP-type programs.

Reduction in School Violence and Behavioral Incidents

• According to school personnel, having a SAP counselor was associated with the following:
  • 13 times fewer physical assaults
  • Seven times fewer threats to staff by students
  • Half the physical threats to students by other students
  • Half the violent incidents in schools (Study 2)
• Having a SAP team was associated with fewer disciplinary actions (more than 50% fewer per capita). (Study 2)
• Nearly 60% of referred students incurred no further disciplinary suspensions after SAP involvement. (Study 1)
• Student survey results from participating students revealed significant reductions in seven antisocial behaviors including truancy, fighting, and vandalism. (Study 3)

Reduction in Substance Abuse

• Having a SAP team was associated with almost 50% reduction in suspensions for drug use and drug sales by students. (Study 2)
• Based on student response about their own behavior (YRBS data), having a SAP counselor or team was associated with less drinking, use of illicit drugs, and chewing tobacco. (Study 2)
• Significantly fewer students reported using 7 substances after participation in the program (e.g., 33 percent fewer students reported marijuana use and 40 percent fewer students reported use of amphetamines in the 30 days after participating). (Study 3)

Improvements in School Attendance

Around two-thirds of the students served by the SAP either improved or stabilized their attendance. (Study 1)

Improvements in Academic Performance

A small sample of middle school and high school students who were rated as dependent on alcohol or other drugs and were high level participants in the program achieved a higher grade point average at the end of a second school year. A low participation group with similar use characteristics experienced a decline. (Study 3)

Increased Access to Services

Across three years, 83 to 90% of students referred to the SAP were linked to a school program and service, with most accessing the recommended service; less than 10% of all students referred to a school program or service refused to participate. (Study 1)

This data, while resulting from varying evaluation methodologies, portrays a consistent overall picture of apparent positive outcomes for youth participating in SAP-type programs.