Positive Action
About the Intervention
Positive Action is a K-12 character education program designed to promote character development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills while reducing disruptive and problem behavior. The curriculum includes six units (some grades have a seventh review unit) with scripted lessons delivered through classroom discussion, role-play, games, songs, and activity sheets or text booklets. For elementary grades, the curriculum averages 140 lessons taught four days a week, with each lesson lasting approximately 15 minutes. The program is based on the philosophy that positive actions lead to positive feelings about oneself. Optional components include site-wide climate development, drug education for grade 5 and middle school, conflict resolution, and counselor/parent/family classes. Teachers receive training from the program developer (3-4 hours initially, 1-2 hours in subsequent years), plus at least one annual in-service session and winter mini-conferences for school representatives.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on suspension rates
Positive effect: on tobacco use
Positive effect: on alcohol use
Positive effect: on being drunk
Positive effect: on illegal drug use
Positive effect: on serious violence among boys
Positive effect: on violent behavior
Positive effect: on grade retention rates
Positive effect: on Florida Comprehensive Aptitude Test scores
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Disciplinary Infractions, Suspensions, Social-Emotional LearningPrograms & Services
General EducationDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s), Teachers/Instructional TeamsCitation
U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse. (2007). Positive Action (PA). Retrieved from https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/intervention/208.
Study Demographics
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Participant Race
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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