Northside ISD GREAT Program

The Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. G.R.E.A.T.'s violence prevention curriculum helps students develop values and practice behaviors that will assist them to avoid destructive activities. The G.R.E.A.T. program coordinates with federal, regional, state and local agencies, as well as individuals from community and civic groups. The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to train law enforcement officers in a school-based curriculum in which the officers provide instruction to school-aged children in life skill competencies, gang awareness, and anti-violence techniques. Training in the core G.R.E.A.T. program is provided to officers from any state or local law enforcement agency.

The Northside Independent School District (NISD) will implement the G.R.E.A.T. Family Component and the Middle School Program at six middle schools. The middle schools were selected based on their location in the district, as well as the number of students who are economically disadvantaged. The NISD G.R.E.A.T. program goals are as follows: Prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement among school-aged youth in the NISD by reducing the precursor attitudes and behaviors associated with these behaviors; create safer schools and communities by building positive relationships among law enforcement families and young people; increase the number of school-aged children who have the opportunity to gain a positive perception of law enforcement; strengthen families through engaging parents and youth between the ages of 12 and 14 in cooperative lessons designed to facilitate better communication among family members and enhance family decision-making skills.

CA/NCF