Program evaluation research study on the implementation of the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program in a public high school: a dissertation

2007·5 MB·English

by  Beardall, Nancy G.

Lesley
University
30 Mel/en
Street
Cambridge, Ma
02138-2790
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A PROGRAM EVALUATION RESEARCH STUDY ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
MENTORS IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
IN A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
A
Dissertation
Submitted by
NANCY BEARDALL
G.
In partial fulfillment ofthe requirements
for the degree of
Doctor ofPhilosophy
LESLEY UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
MA
Cambridge,
October 2007

DISSERTATION ABSTRACT
Nancy G. Beardall
October 2007
A Program Evaluation Study on the Implementation
ofthe Mentors in Violence Prevention Program
in a Public High School
The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program is the subject ofthis research study.
MVP
is a high school leadership and mentoring program thatfocuses on promoting
gender respect and preventing harassment, sexual harassment and teen dating abuse in
middle schools and high schools.
MVP
This program evaluation study ofthe program utilizes both quantitative and
qualitative data. The findings suggest the MVP training supports the mentors in their
ability to become active bystanders and leaders in this work, not only in the short term
and while they are in the program, but over the long term, when they are no longer part of
the program. The self-evaluation findings also suggest that for the students not in the
MVP
program, witnessing, dialoguing and reflecting on the dramatic role plays
contribute to their becoming more aware and active bystanders in harassing, sexually
harassing and teen dating abuse situations.
Additionally, an action plan is presented on ways ofstrengthening the Mentors in
Violence Prevention program described in this dissertation, and on establishing Mentors
in Violence Prevention programs such as this one in other public high schools.