All Stars

All Stars™ is a character-based approach to preventing high-risk behaviors such as substance use, violence, and premature sexual activity in teens ages 11 to 15. The program is based on strong research identifying the critical factors that lead young people to begin experimenting with substances and engaging in other high-risk behaviors. It is designed to reinforce positive qualities that are typical of youths at this age. A program specialist or regular classroom teacher can implement the program. All Stars™ consists of whole classroom sessions, small group sessions outside of the classroom, and one-on-one sessions between the instructor and the child. The program is interactive, including debates, games, and general discussion. Homework assignments are given to include parents in the program and to increase parent-child interactions. All Stars™ is also used in community-based settings such as afterschool programs, faith-based communities, Girls and Boys Clubs, and community centers.

The goal of All Stars programs is to prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug use, postpone sexual activity, and reduce fighting and bullying among adolescents.

When teachers implemented the program, there were significant reductions in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and inhalants. The program also had a significant effect in changing normative beliefs, lifestyle incongruence, commitment to school, impulsive decision-making, and sensation-seeking behavior.

The comprehensive evaluation of All Stars™ indicated that when implemented by teachers the program influenced the mediators of problem behaviors for white students. However, these were only short-term changes. When a specialist delivered the program, there were delayed effects on mediating variables for Hispanic students. And there were delayed effects for African-American students regardless of who implemented the program. This evaluation showed limited positive results for the All Stars™ program.

The next evaluation resulted in more positive changes, though the evaluation looked only at short-term results. When teachers implemented the program, there were significant reductions in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and inhalants. Although there were no significant effects for marijuana use or sexual activity, there were changes in the desirable direction. The program had a significant effect in changing normative beliefs, lifestyle incongruence, commitment to school, impulsive decision-making, and sensation-seeking behavior. These results were found only for the teacher-implemented program.