The purpose of this study was to assess learning in sixth grade students’ by gain scores in science and mathematics while participating in the integrative curriculum modules developed by the Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health (PEER) Program. The PEER Program is a collaboration between the College of Education and Applied Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. Two Integrated Curricular Modules provided the experimental treatment in this study. The alliance of the PEER Program and Texas A&M University has developed a middle school integrated curriculum based on sixth grade mathematics, science, English, reading and social studies TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)-based objectives. This multimedia curriculum incorporates the five disciplines into an adventure narrative featuring characters similar in dynamics to its targeted population, with problem-solving activities aimed to spark learning interests of students and emphasize skill development. Integrated learning allows students an alternative method to traditional or conventional ways of learning by conceptualizing the subject matter into more than one medium. Selected students who participated in this study were pre-tested with Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)-related instrumentation based on TEKS objectives. Their scores were recorded and some students were then selected to participate as the treatment group where they were taught the PEER Program’s integrated curriculum, patterned to correspond to TEKS’ objectives. Post-tests were administered to both groups, and gain scores were collected to evaluate and determine if there was evidence that the PEER Program was successful in improving the mastery of the TEKS objectives in mathematics and science. Results varied in this study with findings that supported the notions that the integrated PEER experimental modules had a positive, negative, and no effect on the experimental populations compared to the control, or untreated population. It is inconclusive to whether the integrated modules were effective in raising and improving test scores based on the preparatory curriculum. Inconsistencies in the results from this study imply that further research is needed.

ABSTRACT Problems of cigaret smoking at the primary schools 6th {--} 9th grade Key terms: smoking, addiction, risk factors, prevention, peer programme Thesis treats about the cigaret smoking, especially by the children at the age from 12 to 15 years. It is divided into two parts. The theoretical part amasses the data about tabaccism. It deals with origin of the addiction to nicetine. The author devotes the risk factors {--} affecting negativly the child {--} that can be subsequently the reason of the origin of his addiction. Thesis continouses by describing the prevention of the socio-pathological phenomenons as the first possible kind of the defence of the society against the cigaret smoking and drug abuse. So calles peer {--} programme /in fact the impact of the older pupils on the younger ones/ seems to be one of the most powerful preventive programmes at the school. The practical part summarizes the results of the questionnaire filled in by the pupils of the 6th and 9 th grade. It engages in their attitude toward the smoking of tobacco products.

This diploma thesis is focused on measurement of effectiveness of the one to one peer coeval mentoring programme "Ve dvou se to lépe táhne" that was designated for youth at risk. The main goal of the thesis is to choose an appropriate way how to measure programme effectiveness and verify the possibility to integrate it with the methodology of the programme. In the introduction of the theoretical part of thesis there are given the definitions of adolescence and changes related with this age, circumstances that threaten youth at risk and the list of programmes, available in the Czech Republic, for youth at risk. Moreover there is introduced the program "Ve dvou se to lépe táhne" and possibilities for evaluation of the programme in particular from the impact on clients point of view. Practical part gives information about the chosen evaluation method and its modification corresponding with particularities of the programme, further describes the implementation stage of the method and finally a pilot version of the modified method on the basis of created questionnaires is assessed.