The Challenging Horizons Program

What is the Challenging Horizons Program?

The Challenging Horizons Program (CHP) was a collaboration between Dr. Joshua Langberg at Virginia Commonwealth University and OHIO's Center for Intervention Research in Schools. The program was funded by the National Institute for Mental health from 2009 – 2014.

There were two versions of the program, an after school version and a school consultation version, which were developed in 1999. The study involved conducting a cost-benefit analysis of the after-school model of the program with the consultation model with over 300 middle school students.

Challenging Horizons After School Program

Students attended the program after school ends twice per week for the entire school year. They were paired with a counselor and participated in group and individual activities designed to target skills that they may struggle with, such as organization, social skills note taking and recreation.

The after school program offered a highly structured and rewarding environment that shaped the behavior of participants with the goal of helping them develop socially acceptable ways of meeting typical school demands.

Research suggested that the program was effective in reducing academic impairment as evidenced by fewer missing assignments, improved organizational performance and better parent and teacher ratings of academic performance.

Challenging Horizons Consultation Program

Through this part of the program, a trained consultant worked in conjunction with specific teachers and/or counselors to identify strategies that they can implement with students during the school day, which target organization, social skills, note taking and study skills. The consultants typically met with the teacher and/or counselor during the school day.

Research showed that the program was effective at improving teacher ratings of classroom performance. Additionally, the program reduced the likelihood of drastically slipping grades when compared to students with ADHD who were not part of the program.