Measuring our Success
TKF conducts in-depth evaluation on all students who attend the Violence
Impact Forum (VIF) assembly to measure the effectiveness of our program.
Over the years, student assessments (measured by pre-, post- and 45-day
post-VIF questionnaires) continue to demonstrate that the VIF causes significant
changes in students' beliefs and attitudes toward revenge, violence, gangs
and guns.
In addition to statistics, there are "qualitative" ways to measure
our success. TKF has received thousands of heartfelt letters from children
that validate the power of the VIF program and its "visceral"
impact on elementary and middle school students. Read some of
the letters...
TKF's VIF Program Receives Stellar Marks in a Recent Consultant-Led Study
Thanks to funding by The California Endowment, TKF recently completed an extensive "feasibility study" designed to evaluate and refine TKF's Violence Impact Forum (VIF) program. A team of independent consultants performed the 10-month study, which clearly demonstrated TKF's violence prevention program works! The evaluation team concluded "the VIF has significant, sustained positive impact on key youth attitudes and beliefs that have been shown to reduce aggressive behavior."
The consultants also found that the VIF works best for youth at high risk for future aggressive behavior. For these youth, the VIF increases their knowledge and skill in resolving conflict nonviolently, increases their negative views of gangs and guns, decreases their desire for revenge, and improves their self-esteem."In summary, all the data gathered in this "feasibility study" point to the same conclusion: The VIF works, and works best for the kids who need it most!" Consultant Karl Hamner, Ph.D.- July 2002
Student Assessments Demonstrate the Power of the Violence Impact Forum
The following graphs (taken from the study) illustrate the type of dramatic changes seen in students' attitudes after participating in the Violence Impact Forum (VIF) program. The graphs show before (pre-test) and after (45-day post-VIF) results from elementary and middle school students in the study who were deemed "high risk."
"I don't need to fight
because there are other ways to deal with being mad." |
"I think being in a gang
makes it more likely that you will get hurt or killed." |
 |
 |
| High Risk Elementary School
Students Increase 6% to 66% |
High Risk Middle School Students Increase 8% to 87% |
"I really care about how my actions
might affect others." |
"There is an adult I can trust and
turn to for advice if I were having problems." |
 |
 |
| High Risk Middle School
Students Increase 4% to 46% |
High Risk Middle School Students Increase 1% to 65% |