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The NJDOE/Rowan University Social Norms Project 2008-2009

The NJDOE/Rowan University Social Norms Project 2008-2009. Introduction.

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The NJDOE/Rowan University Social Norms Project 2008-2009

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  1. The NJDOE/Rowan UniversitySocial Norms Project2008-2009

  2. Introduction • In 2005, the NJ Department of Education, in conjunction with Rowan University’s Center for Addiction Studies, initiated a proactive prevention program called the Social Norms Project. This project is currently in its third year. • A combination of 34 New Jersey middle and high schools are invited to participate for a two-year period. • During this period, students are made aware of the positive decisions their peers are making regarding substance use (high schools) or bullying (middle schools)

  3. Goals of the Social Norms Project NJ Middle Schools • To reduce violence/bullying in a mix of regions (central, northern, and southern) • and settings (rural, suburban, and urban). • 2. To reduce students’ misperceptions of the targeted behavior. NJ High Schools • To reduce alcohol and other drug use in a mix of regions (central, northern, and southern)and settings (rural, suburban, and urban). • To reduce students’ misperceptions of the targeted • behavior.

  4. Definitions - what are “social norms”? Social Norms Is defined by Perkins (2003) as a proactive prevention program that communicates “the truth about peer norms in terms of what the majority of students actually think and do, all on the basis of credible data drawn from the student population that is the target.” Actual Perceived Misperception Misperception “The gap between ‘perceived’ and ‘actual.’”(Berkowitz, 2004).

  5. Components of the Social Norms ProjectData Collection A web-based survey will be conducted at the beginning and end of the project over a secured server. Purpose of Data in the Project 1. Serves as a means to measure the effectiveness of the project in reducing both misperceptions and actual behavior. 2. Determines the content of the normative messages that are delivered to the student body via a variety of media outlets. **Active Consent must be obtained**

  6. Print Media Campaign The social norms approach informs the student body of actualpeer behaviors through the use of posters, flyers, advertisements in school newspapers, and/or articles written about the project in the local newspaper. The print media campaign, which provides statistical evidence that enables students to challenge their perceptions, is an inexpensive way to reach a large percent of the student population. Messages are provided during the two-year project.

  7. Posters • Posters that are custom-designed for your school and locally derived statistics are provided during the project period. These are in addition to any granted funds. • Each poster is 11”x17” and in full color. • You will receive at least 4 individually designed posters with up to 100 copies of each design.

  8. Print Media CampaignNewspaper Articles Some schools have had articles about their project written in the local paper. Please contact the Center for Addiction Studies for a copy of a prepared press release or a copy of our article which appeared in several educational magazines in 2008.

  9. School Contests & Giveaways • Funding is provided to purchase giveaways or prizes to encourage students to learn their norms. You can also use contests to increase the return rate of the active consent forms. • All items must be approved by NJDOE and the Center for Addiction Studies

  10. School Contests & Giveaways - Past Ideas • One middle school introduced the project to the faculty, the student body, and the community through hosting workshops and a speaker that discussed the messages obtained from the survey results. This outreach to the parents and community helped to strengthen their home and school collaboration. • In addition, a participating alternative MS and HS have successfully interwoven the project with their school-wide behavioral system. • One social norms event focused on St. Patrick’s Day, where students were given shamrocks adorned with a norm on it. Prizes for this contest included a CD player (1st place) and other small prizes. • In addition, other events included the following: Make Your Own Sundae, Spring Eggs, and Guess the Amount of Jelly Beans.  The Spring Egg event allowed everyone that knew the social norm to receive a spring egg with candy with the norm written inside.  In addition, their name was entered into a drawing for a slightly larger prize. Students were also eligible to guess the amount of Jellybeans in which they were entered into a separate drawing.  Thus, whoever knew the norm and guessed the amount closest to the actual amount of jellybeans would win the jellybeans and another prize. 

  11. Verbal Word Most students agree…. Verbal messages can help get your norms across. Loudspeaker Local TV Stations Curriculum Infusion School Radio Station Public Service Announcements

  12. Funding and Support from NJ DOE & Rowan University’s Center for Addiction Studies • School will be awarded funding to implement the Social Norms program for two years. • 4 Posters will be personally designed for the school. - Up to 100 (11x17) posters of each design (400 posters total) • Coordinator(s) from Rowan University’s Center for Addiction Studies (CAS) will conduct site visits at your school. • CAS will conduct Regional Trainings to aid in the implementation of the project. • Survey data will be analyzed. • Messages for the project will be created and printed. • A project coordinator will provide technical assistance.

  13. School Districts’ Responsibilities • Form a Steering Committee. • Obtain and keep all active consents for survey. • Schedule and administer the survey. • Implement the campaign and spread the messages through media outlets. • Attend Regional Trainings. • Maintain a binder that encompasses all aspects of the project (brag book). • Comply with timelines.

  14. Social Norms Project Let your school be part of this innovative educational initiative! Call the Center for Addiction Studies for more information: 856-863-2175

  15. References . Berkowitz, A.D. (2004). The social norms approach: theory, research, and annotated bibliography. The U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention. Retrieved on October 27, 2004: http://www.edc.org/hec/socialnorms/theory/. Perkins, H. W. (Ed.). (2003). The social norm approach to preventing school and college age substance abuse. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

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