Outcome Study Report on Cool Kids Just Released Shows Effectiveness of Cool Kids

A study conducted by the University of Texas at Dallas Center for Children and Families indicated that Cool Kids made a positive impact on class climate and led to increased application of the "Cool Rules" and their associated skills targeted by the Cool Kids guidance resources:

• Stay Cool (emotion regulation)
• Work It Out (conflict resolution)
• Give Respect (prosocial behavior)
• Get It Done (good work habits)
• Be Confident (self-efficacy)

The school counselors at Liberty Elementary in the Lewisville ISD conducted 9 of the Cool Kids lessons with half of their classes (the treatment group) and did not lead them with the other half of the classes (the control group).  The teachers completed a Class Climate Survey for their classes and a Teacher Rating of Student Behavior Survey for each of the students in their classes before the lessons and after the lessons were led.

From the pre-test to post-test, the students who participated in Cool Kids lessons showed greater gains in use of the skills being taught and the class climate in the classes that participated improved more than the classes that did not.  There are normative declines in behavior during this developmental stage, and the decline was less in those behaviors in the classes that participated in Cool Kids.

The presence of these skills is shown in research to improve academic performance, student behavior, and social and emotional health.

Cool Kids resources are used by school counselors in guidance lessons, but they have an impact on student behavior in the classroom beyond guidance lessons.  Cool Kids may also be used by classroom teachers.

To read the report, click here:  2010-2011 Cool Kids Outcome Study

Video of Cool Kids in Action

To view scenes from Cool Kids lessons being led by school counselors in the Richardson and Dallas ISDs, click here and click on the video player:  Cool Kids Lesson Highlights Video

Cool Kids Resources Included in the 2010-2011 Subscription

Cool Kids: $2 per student participating in Cool Kids lessons, $1,000 max per school.  Schools may subscribe for certain grades within their schools.

• New lesson plans directed at Kindergarten through 1st grade students
• New lesson plans directed at 2nd-4th grade students
• New lesson plans directed at 5th-6th grade students
  
• "Cool Rule" Tunes - songs to help students remember the Cool Rules - Stay Cool, Work it Out, Give Respect, Get it Done, and Be Confident
  
• Announcement scripts for every day of the school year
• A Cool Kids Activity Kit including Cool Rule "Think Sheets" to be used in the classroom

Cool Kids “Click” – Online Game that Can Be Used as a Lesson

Cool Kids subscribers have access to five online games that counselors or teachers may use with entire classes using computers connected to projectors or interactive white boards.  Each game covers specific topics such as respect, responsibility, character, feelings and problem-solving, and college and career awareness and include video vignettes of students from lower elementary to middle school showing character and using the “Cool Rules.”  These games may be used as stand-alone lessons or as a part of other lessons.

The Cool Kids “Coolcast” – Morning Announcements Recordings and Scripts

The “Coolcasts” include scripts for students to read for morning announcements via video or audio and recorded announcements.  The “Coolcasts” cover school behavior, character traits, and the “Cool Rules.”

Cool Kids Parenting Tips to Use for Parent Coffees, Lunches, or PTA Meetings

Subscribers have access to “Cool Kids Parenting Tips” that provide tips to use with parents for parent coffees or lunches, parent meetings, or as a part of PTA meetings.  The tips support character traits, the Cool Kids lessons, and the “Cool Rules.”

To order, click here for the order form:  Order Form