Evaluating Service Programs for School-Age Parents

Abstract

In response to increasing societal concern about school-age pregnancy, many communities have developed special medical, educational, and counseling service programs for pregnant girls and young parents. A small number of these programs have attempted to evaluate their accomplishments. Unfortunately, most of the reports suffer from methodological weaknesses. Such studies could be improved by use of properly selected control groups, improved analytic procedures, and specification of realistic program goals. To date, the range of evaluative methods has been narrow and most studies have been of largely minority populations. The reports indicate some success in the medical and short-range educational areas; but limited accomplishments in terms of long-term continuation of education, avoidance or delay of subsequent pregnancies, and achievement of economic independence. Suggestions are provided for improving both study design and program effectiveness.