Over the course of five years, we expected to have approximately 800 teens (400 program and 400 control) in the study. Teens were randomly selected for the program (Teen Council) and control (no program) conditions.~Teens in both groups were surveyed in the late summer/early fall of their enrollment year and each spring thereafter. Participation in the evaluation by control teens and unenrolled program teens was recognized with a small stipend.~The pre-survey was administered during the summer retreat for incoming Teen Council members. The same survey was administered by Philliber staff for the control youth via online, telephone, or mailed surveys during the late summer/fall. The post-surveys were administered at the end of the school year. Again, the survey was administered by program facilitators for the Teen Council program group. Philliber administered the post survey for the control group providing the same options for completion (online, telephone, or mail).~To facilitate follow-up, complete contact information was collected at baseline. This included the telephone numbers, physical addresses, and email addresses of the student and telephone numbers of their parents/guardians. Also requested was contact information for two relatives or adult friends who would likely know how to contact the teen. Parents were asked on the consent form to provide permission to receive change of school information in the event that their teen transferred to a new school. Philliber reached out to unenrolled Teen Council members and control group teens by telephone, email, text messaging, and/or U.S. Mail for survey administration (via telephone, online, or hard copy).
This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation of the Teen Council program that was tested with high school students (grades 10-12) to assess whether it results in a reduction of teen pregnancy among other outcomes.