Student Success Skills: Impacting achievement through large and small group work

A structured group intervention, Student Success Skills (SSS), targeting academic and social outcomes, involving over 1, 100 students in grades 5, 6, 8, and 9 is described. The goal of the project was to evaluate a combination guidance/psychoeducational and counseling/interpersonal problem-solving group model using rigorous research methods. Results from a series of four studies that consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of the SSS intervention are presented along with a sample large group lesson and sample small group session. A discussion of effective group work practices supporting effective implementation of the SSS intervention and other structured group interventions follows. The article concludes with tips for helping professionals in schools who want to show they make a difference in academic and social outcomes for students.