Inducing Long-Term, Positive Behavior Change
The focus of this chapter is to highlight two different transformational change initiatives in public schools that rely on student leadership to be effective. Both programs will explore effective ways to empower students as leaders, to make better social decisions, and to improve their attachment to school and community. One program involves a student-led technology club in a middle school. The goal of the club is to assist with the school's technology usage while also making a positive impact on participating students' achievement and attachment to school. The other program involves educating high school students on the risks of heroin and opioid addiction. Both programs seek to leverage student empowerment to induce long-term, positive behavior change in the students directly involved as well as those around them.