| The purpose of this quantitative, longitudinal cohort analysis study was to compare, evaluate, and analyze questionnaires administered to Champions Project students compared to a cohort of non Champions students before and after they have participated in the program to determine what effect, if any, participation in Champions classes have had on their attitude and behavior short term. The variables to be considered include the following: (a) students' current attitudes, (b) students' behaviors since their junior high school exit examinations, and (c) students' current self-efficacy.; This study used a pretest post-test experimental-group control-group design. Four classes of students from each of 4 junior or middle high schools from 8 geographic regions were selected to participate in this study. In each of the schools, 2 classes were assigned to experimental groups and 2 classes were assigned to control groups. It was anticipated that approximately 3,100 students participated in the current.; A combination of the Problem Solving Attitude Scale (PSAS) and the Problem Solving Behavior Scale (PSBS) was used to measure students' attitude and behavior disturbance before and after the Champions intervention. Analysis was accomplished by comparing difference between pre and post-test using generalized linear models (GLM) with the generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach to incorporate the nature of the cluster study design. It was anticipated that there would be differences in problem solving skills, attitude and self-efficacy between Champions participants and the cohort who did not participate. Finally, suggestions for education and the Champions Education Association and directions for future research were recommended based on the findings of this study. |
