A group intervention for middle school youths with behavior problems was tested. Eighty-four
subjects were randomly assigned to "school survival" groups or "attention-only" groups. The
Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale (N-SLCS) was used to measure shifts in subjects' lo
cus of control. Subjects completed the N-SLCS at pretest, posttest, and I-month follow-up. Sub
jects who participated in school survival groups reported statistically significant shifts to a more
internal locus of control as compared with subjects who participated in attention-only groups.
These shifts were maintained 4 weeks after treatment. Because an internal locus of control has
been shown to be a correlate of school success, it appears that the school survival group holds
promise as an effective alternative to suspension.
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