Inclusive Skill-building Learning Approach (ISLA) to keep middle-school students in class and prevent future opioid misuse
Preventing School Exclusion and Opioid Misuse: Effectiveness of the Inclusive Skill-building Learning Approach (ISLA)
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON · NIH-11138586
This project will try a school-based program (ISLA) to help 6th–8th graders stay in school, improve behavior and learning, and lower the chance of later opioid or other substance misuse.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF OREGON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (EUGENE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11138586 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You and other students would be part of a whole-school program that replaces exclusionary discipline with instructional and restorative supports. The research team will run a cluster randomized trial in 60 middle schools across six states, with entire schools randomly chosen to use ISLA or continue usual practices. All students and educators in ISLA schools will get the program, and researchers will follow students from the end of 6th grade through the end of 8th grade to track discipline, school engagement, academics, and substance use. The project also looks at how ISLA is implemented and whether it reduces biased or punitive interactions by school staff.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are middle-school students (grades 6–8) and their schools willing to adopt ISLA, along with participating educators.
Not a fit: Students not enrolled in the selected schools, those outside grades 6–8 during the study window, or those not exposed to ISLA's classroom supports are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ISLA could help more students stay in school, boost learning, and lower future risk of opioid and other substance misuse.
How similar studies have performed: Related restorative and skill-building programs have shown promise for reducing exclusion and improving behavior, but ISLA's large randomized test across multiple states is a broader and newer test of these ideas.
Where this research is happening
EUGENE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF OREGON — EUGENE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NESE, RHONDA — UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
- Study coordinator: NESE, RHONDA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.