Actively Recruiting
Empowering Youth With School Discipline Referrals as Peer Coaches
Led by University of Southern California · Updated on 2026-04-13
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
26 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Southern California
Lead Sponsor
M
Medical University of South Carolina
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating Peer Coach Training (PCT), a strengths-based behavioral intervention designed to help middle-school youth who have been referred for school discipline. The study focuses on empowering these youth to act as positive change agents for their peers. This approach aims to reduce exclusionary discipline disparities affecting Black and Latinx students by emphasizing peer support instead of focusing on existing problems. The trial is a cluster randomized study conducted across ten urban public middle schools in the United States, involving 150 youth. The study compares two groups: one receiving immediate PCT and the other receiving delayed PCT after follow-up assessments. PCT consists of six to seven sessions that teach skills development and help-giving practices, delivered by trained research team members. Youth in control schools receive their standard behavioral services until they receive PCT later. Assessments occur at baseline, 3 months, and 8 months after baseline to evaluate the intervention's effects. Participants will be assessed on disruptive and prosocial behavior, school engagement, empowerment, and other social-emotional measures through questionnaires, teacher ratings, and school behavior records. The study includes baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up evaluations to monitor changes over time. The total participation spans these assessments with ongoing data collection to measure outcomes related to behavior and social support within the school community.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Empowering Youth With School Discipline Referrals as Peer Coaches
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Youth aged 10 to 15 years
- Youth who have received at least one disciplinary referral between the first day of school and recruitment
- Enrollment in middle school
- All genders are eligible
You will not qualify if you...
- Youth who have not received any disciplinary referrals between the first day of school and recruitment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 1 to 2 months
Participants receive Peer Coach Training (PCT), a strengths-based behavioral intervention focusing on skills development and help-giving practices through six to seven sessions.
6 to 7 sessions
Duration - Up to 8 months after baseline assessment
Participants are assessed for outcomes related to behavior, school engagement, and empowerment after completing the intervention.
2 visits (3 months and 8 months after baseline)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90007
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Stanley J Huey, Ph.D.
J
Janus Wong, B.A.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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