CREST: a schoolwide Positive Action-based social and character development program grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Theory and integrated with Belize's HFLE curriculum

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

CREST was a one-year comprehensive schoolwide social and character development program piloted in Belize City primary schools to decrease violence and assist students exposed to violence. It integrated the Positive Action curriculum with the existing Health and Family Life Education curriculum, "providing grounding in a theoretical framework (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)" and a consistent organizational structure so children could self-reinforce positive behaviors. Positive Action is organized into six units (self-concept; positive actions for body and mind; managing yourself responsibly; treating others the way you like to be treated; telling yourself the truth; improving yourself continually), and the program includes curriculum, school infrastructure elements, and parent and community involvement activities.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• Teacher instruction with a curriculum crosswalk identifying HFLE stories, games, activities and vignettes so additional resources emphasize the six Positive Action units

Constraints

• Evaluated as a one-year pilot in Belize City primary schools; the Positive Action curriculum had not previously been used with this population

Target Learners

• Primary school students in Standards Infant 1 through Standard 6 in Belize City

Learning Goals

• Positive youth development behaviors
• social-emotional and character development
• reduced violence and negative youth behaviors

Claims

• Crest Significant Engage Effect Standards 1 3 [+M]
• Crest Multivariate Effect Standards 4 6 [+M]

Related Designs

Examples

-

Key Sources

• Krystal M. Hinerman, Darrell M. Hull, Darrell M. Hayes, Marvin G. Evans, Maria L. Reyes. (2014). Childhood Resiliency Effects from Schoolwide Treatment: A Cluster Randomized Trial. SREE Fall 2014 Conference. https://www.sree.org

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	crest-positive-action-belize-program
title	CREST: a schoolwide Positive Action-based social and character development program grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Theory and integrated with Belize's HFLE curriculum
description	CREST was a one-year comprehensive schoolwide social and character development program piloted in Belize City primary schools to decrease violence and assist students exposed to violence.
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-11-01
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — krystal-m-hinerman-2014

Frontmatter is the page's machine-readable record — see the Schema & Guide.