Choosing the Best

1994-95 Northwestern University Medical School—
Pre-/Post test Analysis

In 1994-95 a study of the effectiveness of Choosing the Best was conducted by Northwestern University Medical School, Mental Health Services and Evaluation Program. The evaluation was funded by Illinois Public Aid and conducted by John Vessy, Ph.D. The specific study goals were to: identify factors associated with greater sexual activity; validate factors in their relationship to attitudes about sex; and evaluate the effect of Choosing the Best with teens in each of the risk groups. 3840 students in 49 Illinois middle schools completed Choosing the Bestcurriculum training and responded to a pre and post-test survey. The average age was 14.3 years and evenly divided between male and female. The sample size was 75% White, 12% Black, 9% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 2% American Indian, 2% other.

Research Results:

1. Four variables were found that identified students as higher (more than double) risk for being sexually active: not having two parents in the home; perceived parental approval of teen sex; smoking; having been drunk.
2. 75% of all students had reliable positive changes towards more abstinent attitudes.
3. 74% of all students indicated an intention to be abstinent until marriage.
4. 60% of students, who had had sex, indicated an intention to be abstinent.

To download complete report on this study, click here. (35KB)

Update to our Study - December 2014, Click Here 

1995-96 Northwestern University Medical School—
Longitudinal Study

In 1995-96 Northwestern University Medical School, Mental Health Services and Evaluation Program conducted an evaluation of Choosing the Best under the direction of John Vessy, Ph.D. The study goals were to evaluate the changes that took place over a year with students who complete the Choosing the Bestprogram. 2541 students in Illinois public schools participated in the evaluation. The age range was 13-16 and evenly split between males and females. The sample size was 80% White, 6% Black, 8% Hispanic and 6% other.

Research Results:

1. 54% were no longer recently sexually active one-year following the program.
2. The number of newly sexually active students who had competed the Choosing the Best program was smaller than predicted.

To download complete report on this study, click here. (40KB)

1995 Muscogee County, Georgia Study

In 1995 the Georgia Legislature funded a study of Choosing the Best through the Georgia Department of Education. The evaluation was conducted by Dr. Naresh Malhotra, Regents’ Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology. The study goals were to evaluate the short and long term impact of Choosing the Best in changing attitudes towards adolescent sex. Choosing the Best was taught in ten middle schools in Muscogee County representing 79 classes. 1425 students completed the pretest; 1282 completed an immediate posttest; 1078 completed a delayed Posttest seven months later; and 243 students were in a control group.

Research Results:

1. Choosing the Best had a short-term as well as long-term positive effect in changing attitudes towards abstinence teenage sexual activity.
2. The short-term and long term positive effects were observed even for the high risk sexually active students.

2001 Muscogee County, Georgia—Follow-Up Study

In 2001 the Georgia State Board of Education requested that a three-year analysis be conducted of the effect of Choosing the Best in reducing teen pregnancies in middle schools in Muscogee County, Georgia. Since 1996 Choosing the Best had been taught to all eighth-grade students in Muscogee County representing approximately 1,600-1,800 students each year. Teen pregnancy Data was compiled from the Georgia Department of Human Resources and compared with other large school districts in Georgia that had not used Choosing the Best.

Research Results:

1. Muscogee County experienced a 38% reduction in teen pregnancies in middle school students over a three-year period from 1997-1999.
2. Other large school districts in Georgia not using Choosing the Bestexperienced an average of 6% reduction in teen pregnancies in middle school students during the same three-year period from 1997-1999.