Overcoming Obstacles is a free, K-12 curriculum that provides you with the tools to teach your students life skills. With hundreds of activity-based lessons covering more than 30 skills, students learn how to communicate effectively. They learn how to make informed decisions. They learn how to set and achieve goals, resolve conflicts, solve problems, respect one another, and more. Programs are broken down by grades K-2, 3-5, middle school, and high school.
Last reviewed: 2024
Intended Outcomes:
This program aims to improve life skills for students. Life skills refers to many different topics, such as communication, decision making, goal setting, anger management, bullying prevention, self-esteem, time management, and more.
Continuum of Care:
Universal Prevention
Topic Areas:
Anxiety, Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Disruptive Behaviors, Physical Health
Ages:
Childhood (4-12), Teen/Adolescent (13-18)
Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban
Delivery Settings:
School-Based
Cultural Considerations:
Limited research found involving diverse populations
Audience:
Students in grades K-12.
Credentials:
Educators implement this program.
Manuals:
Yes
Is Training Required?
No
Who can provide the required training?
Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
No
Program/Practice Website:
https://www.overcomingobstacles.org
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:
Overcoming obstacles. Evaluation of curriculum implementation and student impact. (2021). Rutgers University.
WV Rating:
Unable to Be Rated
»WV Ratings Info
Rationale for Rating:
Limited empirical literature could be found upon review, with information generally being program reports by organizations implementing the program (e.g., Rutgers University, Riley Institute, National Dropout Prevention Center, Charleston County School District). Reports included in the review included survey data survey data (e.g., Rutgers University report, 2021) from 1280 teachers, counselor, and other faculty in and around schools. Feedback generally supported increased student social skills, emotional skills, and academics. Unfortunately, several reports failed to provide specific of methodology, sample composition, possible confounding variables, or measured outcomes. Further, among the single document included in this review, information was from survey data and not objective measurement of improvement leading to the need for additional study to clarify the impacts of the program, as well as to compare it to other similar programs.
Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified
Other Registries/Ratings
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Unclear 0
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry
Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry