Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Larry McNeal, Ph.D.

Abstract

This study was to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in the mean number of student drug and alcohol discipline infractions among ten Arkansas high schools before and after an intervention of a mandatory random drug-testing intervention program for extracurricular activities. The assessment data used in this study were the totals of drug and alcohol discipline incidents or infractions at ten Arkansas secondary schools. The data collection was compiled from each school's administration using the state APSCN services. A survey instrument was completed with the appropriate annual data needed for the study. The annual data consisted of the mean number of students who were in possession or under the influence of drugs or alcohol at each school with a minimum of five years of data. The dependent variable for this study was the response variable of infractions reported by each school participating in the study. Numerous statistical techniques were investigated to analyze the data, but due to the small sample size and the varying occurrences, by time, of the drug-testing interventions, the assumptions for the various tests could not be met. Instead, the data were graphically analyzed by district. An observation of scatterplots, revealed over time, five schools were impacted, two had little impact, and three were not impacted by the intervention of drug testing. Therefore, it could be assumed with implementation of a drug testing policy there would be some likelihood of reducing the drug and discipline infractions through intervention.

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