Which statement best describes universal, selective, and indicated prevention in education?

Which statement best describes universal, selective, and indicated prevention in education?

• A. Universal targets the entire population
• B. Selective targets at-risk groups
• C. Indicated targets individuals with early signs
• D. None

Answer: (C)

Prevention in education is organized by risk level: universal programs work with the whole student population to reduce common problems, selective programs target groups at higher risk, and indicated prevention focuses on individuals who already show early signs of a problem, providing targeted support to prevent it from escalating. The statement about indicated prevention is the best description because it highlights the key feature: identifying early signs in specific individuals and intervening promptly to stop progression. For example, noticing early reading difficulties in a student and offering individualized tutoring illustrates indicated prevention. By contrast, universal prevention would apply to all students with broad programs, and selective prevention would target at‑risk groups; those describe the other levels, not the indicated level.

Prevention in education is organized by risk level: universal programs work with the whole student population to reduce common problems, selective programs target groups at higher risk, and indicated prevention focuses on individuals who already show early signs of a problem, providing targeted support to prevent it from escalating. The statement about indicated prevention is the best description because it highlights the key feature: identifying early signs in specific individuals and intervening promptly to stop progression. For example, noticing early reading difficulties in a student and offering individualized tutoring illustrates indicated prevention. By contrast, universal prevention would apply to all students with broad programs, and selective prevention would target at‑risk groups; those describe the other levels, not the indicated level.