Pax Game 

The Pax Game, also known as the Good Behavior Game, is a proven universal preventative intervention that is implemented by elementary school teachers. It is directed at socializing children to the role of student and reducing aggressive, disruptive classroom behavior, which is a recognized early risk factor of a broad set of adolescent problems including substance use and abuse (Kellam, et. al., 2008; Petras, et. al., 2008).

A series of randomized trials were carried out in the Baltimore City School System during the early 1980’s. From this data, several studies have been published (Drug and Alcohol Dependence 95S, 2008). The strategy has been shown to have a direct impact on the reduction of future needed drug and alcohol services (Poduska, et al., 2008).

The intervention simply makes a game of being good in the classroom. Classes are divided into teams, classroom disruptions are identified as “spleems.” Utilizing a timer, teams attempt to participate in class work with a minimal amount of “spleems.” If teams meet their goal of “spleems” they receive a non-monetary reward such as wriggling on the ground like an earthworm for 20 seconds or talking to their neighbor for 30 seconds.

At this time a preliminary training has been conducted in Licking County and games have been strategically delivered to targeted elementary schools. Educators have stepped forward as “champions” of the game and the local media has taken interest in its success in the classroom.

In the Spring of 2010 a workshop was facilitated by Dr. Dennis Embry and 75 specially selected and formally invited teachers will participate in the workshop and leave with appropriate training and their own game for their classroom. The goal of the coalition’s Education Committee is to have every fourth grade teacher in Licking County utilizing the game by 2012.