Program Description

Fast Track is a comprehensive, long-term prevention program designed to prevent chronic and severe conduct problems in high-risk children. It is based on the idea that antisocial behavior stems from the interaction of multiple influences, such as school, home, and the individual. The main goals of the program are to increase communication and strengthen bonds between and among these three areas; to improve children’s social, cognitive, and problem-solving skills; to foster better peer relationships; and ultimately to reduce disruptive behavior at home and in school.

Cost

Multiple components are necessary; estimated costs are detailed on the website.

Intended Population

• Core
• Intervention
• Intensified intervention

Grade

• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School

Intended Group Size

• Individual
• Small group
• Classroom

ELL/DLL

• Unspecified

Multisensory Applications

• Yes

Delivery Method

• Hybrid / blended delivery

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• Yes

Accelerated Learning

• Unspecified

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Unspecified

Error Correction Built In

• Unspecified

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

Results from multiple randomized controlled trials showed promising effects of the Fast Track (FT) intervention on emotional and internal behaviors, external behaviors, reading achievement, and social outcomes among elementary school students. Moreover, research found that implementing FT in elementary students significantly reduces the likelihood of exhibiting behavior of despair in adolescence and adulthood. Research on implementing the Fast Track intervention with older students is somewhat limited.

Study Citations

Bierman, K. (2002). Evaluation of the first 3 years of the Fast Track prevention trial with children at high risk for adolescent conduct problems. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 30(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014274914287

Bierman, K. L., Coie, J. D., Dodge, K. A., Foster, E. M., Greenberg, M. T., Lochman, J. E., Pinderhughes, E. E. (2004). The effects of the Fast Track program on serious problem outcomes at the end of elementary school. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33(4), 650–661. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp3304_1

Godwin, J. W. (2020). The Fast Track intervention’s impact on behaviors of despair in adolescence and young adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, 117(50), 31748–31753. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2016234117

Jones, D. E., Godwin, J., Dodge, K. A., Bierman, K. L., Coie, J. D., Greenberg, M. T., & Pinderhughes, E. E. (2010). Impact of the Fast Track prevention program on health services use by conduct-problem youth. Pediatrics (Evanston). 125(1), 130–136. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-0322

McMahon, R. J., Bierman, K. L., Coie, J. D., Dodge, K. A., Greenberg, M. T., Lochman, J. E., & Pinderhughes, E. E. (1999). Initial impact of the fast track prevention trial for conduct Problems: I. The High-Risk Sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(5), 631–647. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.67.5.631

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Report

• Potentially positive effects

Evidence Base (ESSA)

• Strong

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Evidence-based practice

Additional Reviews

• https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/fast-track-project/
• https://nationalgangcenter.ojp.gov/spt/Programs/59