Cool Evaluation (scroll down to view the entire evaluation) NOTE: It may be easier to print a copy of this evaluation for later reading. Please feel free to print a copy for review. Bridgework Theater evaluated the effect of performances of the play Cool given during the spring of 2000. A total of 288 third grade students comprised a control group and 284 third graders comprised the test group. The test group viewed a performance of Cool. Most (but not all) in the test group participated in class room activities following the performance. A Z-test measured whether or not differences between the groups was significant. A Z-score of 1.65 indicates significance at a 95% probability (p<.05).

Statement #1 Statement: When I feel angry, I am _____ willing to use counting and deep breathing to calm down. almost never sometimes almost always Evaluator's intent: Measure students' willingness to use relaxation techniques to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 1.96   Test group mean score -- 2.08   Z-score -- 3.25 Interpretation: Students who saw the play were significantly more willing to use relaxation techniques to help manage anger.

Statement #2 Statement: When I feel angry, I can _______ keep myself from hurting the person I am mad at. almost always sometimes almost never Evaluator's intent: Measure students' confidence in their ability manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 1.80   Test group mean score -- 1.72   Z-score -- 1.30 Interpretation: There was no significant difference between students who saw the play and students who did not. Distribution of scores indicates the question was 'too easy' since scores clustered at the "almost always" end of the scale.

Statement # 3 Statement: I am __________ willing to figure out what makes me angry. almost never sometimes almost always Evaluator's intent: Measure students' willingness to use problem solving to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 2.29 Test group mean score -- 2.35   Z-score -- 1.35 Interpretation: There was no significant difference between students who saw the play and students who did not. Distribution of scores indicates the question was 'too easy' since scores clustered at the "almost always" end of the scale.

Statement # 4 Statement: When I feel angry, I _______ want to coach myself with words like "calm down" and "take it easy". almost always sometimes almost never Evaluator's intent: Measure students' willingness to use self coaching to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 2.03   Test group mean score -- 1.88   Z-score -- 2.44 Interpretation: Students who saw the play were significantly more willing to use self coaching to manage anger.

Statement # 5 Statement: When I feel angry, I am ________ willing to act like nothing is wrong. almost never sometimes almost always Evaluator's intent: Measure students' willingness to use denial as an anger management strategy. Results: Control group mean score -- 2.02   Test group mean score -- 2.05   Z-score -- 0.43 Interpretation: There was no significant difference between responses of students who saw the play compared to students who did. Scoring distribution did not indicate problems with the phrasing of this question.

CONCLUSION: Cool (1) increases the willingness of students to use relaxation techniques to manage anger, (2) increases the willingness of students to use self coaching to manage anger. The evaluation statement meant to test student willingness to use problem solving and the statement meant to test confidence may have been flawed. To the play's credit, it did not cause a change in students' willingness to use denial to manage anger. Participating Schools Abraham Lincoln Elementary School 2001 East 135th Street East Chicago, IN 46312-2099 Lincoln Park Elementary School 600 West North Street Greenfield, IN 46140-2099 (Results from this school not used due to missing post surveys.) Argos Community Elementary 600 Yearick Avenue Argos, IL 46501-1053 McDill Elementary School 2516 School Street Stevens Point, WI 54481-6100 Ascension Elementary School 4400 West 140th Street Cleveland, OH 44135 Middlebury Elementary School 432 South Main Street Middlebury, IN 46540 Carlin Park Elementary School 800 North Williams Street Angola, IN 46703-1195 South Elementary School 218 South Broad Street Carlinville, IL 62626-1719 Cleveland Elementary School 53403 CR 1 North Elkhart, IN 46514-9754 St. Mary School 220 West Downie Street Alma, MI 48801 Concord Ox-Bow Elementary School 23525 CR 45 Elkhart, IN 46516-6167 Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School 4740 Turney Road Garfield Heights, OH 44125 Concord South Side 23702 Arlene Street Elkhart, IN 46517-3692 Thomas Miller Elementary School 700 South 4th Street Lafayette, IN 47905-1473 Henry S. Evans Elementary School 2915 E 35th Avenue Lake Station, IN 46405-2999

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