In order to be eligible for funding, school systems are required to develop programs and activities that meet the Principles of Effectiveness. In order to meet the Principles of Effectiveness, the program or activity shall:

1. Be based on an assessment of objective data regarding the incidence of violence and illegal drug use in the elementary schools and secondary schools and communities to be served, including an objective analysis of the current conditions and consequences regarding violence and illegal drug use, including delinquency and serious discipline problems, among students who attend such schools (including private school students who participate in the drug and violence prevention program) that is based on going local assessment or evaluation activities.

2. Be based on an established set of performance measures aimed at ensuring that the elementary schools and secondary schools and communities to be served by the program have a safe, orderly, and drug-free learning environment.

3. Be based on scientifically based research that provides evidence that the program to be used will reduce violence and illegal drug use.

4. Be based on an analysis of the data reasonably available at the time, of the prevalence of risk factors, including high or increasing rates of reported cases of child abuse and domestic violence; protective factors, buffers, assets; or other variables in schools and communities in the State identified through scientifically based research.

5. Include meaningful and ongoing consultation with and input from parents in the development of the application and administration of the program or activity.