Improving organizational skills in middle school students
Evaluation of Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) Program: A Conceptual Replication
This study is testing a program to help middle school students improve their organization and planning skills to see if it makes a difference in their schoolwork.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 11 Years to 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT04465708 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to replicate a previous trial that demonstrated the effectiveness of the Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) intervention for students in grades 6 to 8 who struggle with organization, time management, and planning. The intervention consists of 16 sessions delivered individually by school staff, supplemented by consultations with parents and teachers to enhance the transfer of skills. The study will assess how factors like fidelity, engagement, and the school environment influence the outcomes of the intervention. A total of 240 students from 30 schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will be recruited for this study.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are male and female students in grades 6 through 8 who are in general education and have been identified by teachers as needing support for organizational skills.
Not a fit: Students who do not have identified deficits in organizational, time management, or planning skills may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the academic performance and organizational skills of middle school students with executive dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar interventions, indicating a promising approach to improving organizational skills in students.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: STUDENTS 1. Male or female students in grades 6 through 8. 2. Student is in a general education classroom. 3. Student is nominated for the study by at least one teacher(s) who rates the student as needing the intervention and having OTMP skills deficits that have a negative impact on academic performance (rating \> 3 on a 4-point scale on at least one of four interference items of COSS-T) 4. Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and student assent. PARENTS 1. The parent/legal guardian's child is eligible for the study SCHOOL PROVIDERS 1. School providers will be chosen by school administrators as personnel who are capable of delivering the HOPS intervention (HOPS-ST) in the school context. RESEARCH PROVIDER 1. A person with experience providing instruction or intervention to students in a school context. 2. A member of the research team who will provide the HOPS intervention to the HOPS-RT condition 3. Has consented to be a "secondary research participant" Exclusion Criteria: STUDENTS 1. Students will be excluded if they are in a pull-out special education classroom for more than 50% of the day, because the organizational demands for these students may differ from those placed mostly in general education. 2. Students with a one-to-one aide will be excluded because the presence of an aide substantially alters how an organizational intervention is implemented. 3. Students from families in which both caregivers do not speak English will be excluded because the program has not yet been developed for non-English speakers. 4. Students who may have participated in HOPS before (as it is a commercially-available program) is not eligible to participate in this study. PARENTS 1. Parents who are not fluent in English are excluded since at this time because the intervention and many of the study outcome measures are not available in other languages. SCHOOL PROVIDERS 1. Any school professional who declines to participate will not be enrolled. RESEARCH PROVIDERS 1. Does not consent to be a "secondary research participant"
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Thomas Power, PhD — Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Phylicia Fleming
- Email: flemingp@chop.edu
- Phone: 267-542-2534
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.