Evaluating school capacity to implement new programs.
An eight-factor survey-based Bayesian model (Bridge-It) for assessing school capacity to implement health and education programs was tested in secondary analyses of data from 47 schools in the Texas Tobacco Prevention Initiative (TTPI). Bridge-It was used during the pre-implementation phase and again at mid-course of the TTPI 2 years later. Achieved implementation status was evaluated in follow-up almost 4 years after the start of the TTPI. The Bridge-It score aggregated across all eight of the capacity factors predicted both quality of adherence to the Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Tobacco Use and Addiction and quantity of implementing activity. The school-based leadership factor was an independent predictor of quality of adherence whereas the facilitation processes factor predicted quantity of implementing activity. Integration of Bridge-It, or comparable multi-attribute tools, into the planning and evaluation of school-centered programs can increase understanding of factors that influence implementation and provide guidance for capacity building.
Roberts-Gray
Cynthia
C
Third Coast R&D Inc., 2200 Market Ste 810, Galveston, TX 77550, USA. croberts@thirdcoastresearch.com
Gingiss
Phyllis M
PM
Boerm
Melynda
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*