The Effects of Integrated Interdisciplinary Classroom Instruction on a School-Based Smoking Program

Abstract

This study examines the implementation and effectiveness of a pilot interdisciplinary tobacco awareness/education and decision-making skills program for public and private middle grade students (grades 5-8) mandated for sixth graders for the school year 1999/2000 by the Florida Department of Health Office of Tobacco Control. This program was designed to be implemented by regular classroom teachers in a variety of subject specialties, and so incorporated an interdisciplinary, integrated approach to learning as well as theories of cognitive flexibility and situated learning. Students’ knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making skills about tobacco use were examined both before and after involvement in the program in order to determine the amount of impact the program made on students.