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PATHS (Providing Alternative Thinking Strategies)
01/12/2009
Tool Information
Tool Description
The PATHS (Providing Alternative THinking Strategies) curriculum is a program for educators and counselors that is designed to facilitate the development of self-control, emotional awareness, and interpersonal problem-solving skills. The curriculum consists of an Instructional Manual, six volumes of lessons, pictures and photographs, and additional materials. A research book is also available. PATHS is designed for use with elementary school- aged children. The purposes of the PATHS Curriculum are to enhance the social competence and social understanding of children, as well as to facilitate educational processes in the classroom.Tool Characteristics
Application in the Field: Applied internationally
Stage of Development: Well established
Evaluation and Research: Studies/Technical Data available
Beneficiary Involvement in Design: No information found
Evaluation Description
There have been three controlled studies with randomized control groups: 1 with regular children, 1 with special education-classified children, and 1 with deaf/hearing-impaired children. PATHS has been shown to improve protective factors and reduce behavioral risk across a wide variety of types of elementary school-aged children. The findings have shown cross-rater validity as they have been true of teacher reports, self-reports, and child testing and interviewing. A critical component to these findings is the use of well-matched control groups; this is critical because all children tend to improve as they develop and thus programs may only look effective due to general developmental progress. Finding from the National Fast Track Demonstration Program Initial findings from FAST Track Program at end off first grade in four locations (Seattle, Nashville, Durham, rural Pennsylvania) indicate that in schools in which PATHS is operating there is improved social adaptation as indexed by more positive reports of the following dimensions as compared to matched comparison schools (Comparisons involve approximately 150 classrooms who received PATHS or who are matched controls). * Lower peer aggression and scores by peer ratings (Sociometrics) * Lower teacher ratings of disruptive behavior (Teacher report) * Improved classroom atmosphere (assessed by Independent Observers)
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