Hope Index: Hope - the ideas and energy we have for the future. Hope drives attendance, credits earned, and GPA of high school students. Hope predicts GPA and retention in college, and hope scores are more robust predictors of college success than are high school GPA, SAT, and ACT scores. Dr. Shane Lopez Gallup Student Poll Hope is a human ability… it must be learned

Goals – mental targets that guide action Pathways – the ability to generate routes from the present to the future Agency - the energy you have toward a goal/result or the perceived ability to reach desired goals CR Snyder & Shane Lopez PRACTICING HOPE

What kids are telling us … Only 54% identify themselves are being hopeful Only 60% identify themselves as being engaged Only 67% are identified as thriving 14% identify themselves as discouraged 2011 Gallup Student Poll

What adults working with kids are telling us… 53% believe all children can succeed no matter what 13% believe their colleagues also believe all children can succeed no matter what 5% believe parents and the community believe all children can succeed no matter what 50% believe it’s a school priority that children have a meaningful relationship on campus w/adult 29% believe their students are hopeful and excited about their future Kids at Hope Culture Scan Survey

A Yogi Berra quote: “If you don’t know where you are going… you might wind up somewhere else” “What do we believe and what do we value?”

Kids at Hope is committed to create generations of adults and institutions who adopt a research and evidence based protocol and strategic, cultural framework based on three leading principles and practices: WE Believe – that all children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS! WE Connect – with all children in a meaningful, sustainable way (ACES) WE Time Travel – teach children to mentally time travel to their future in four destinations Stated & Practiced Valued

Culture vs. Bureaucracy/Systems Culture Effectiveness Leadership BeliefShared Belief Commitment from staff= Genuine High Expectations Driven by “want to’s” Goal is to be GREAT Thrive WE Efficiency Management MissionAdopted Mission Commitment from staff= Formal Compromised Expectations Driven by “have to’s” Goal is to be GOOD Survive ME All rights reserved, duplication with permission only. Copyright: Rick Miller Bureaucracy Organization (Two opposing forces that determine the fate of an organization. )

Universal Truth #1 We Believe… Children succeed when they are surrounded by adults who believe they can succeed. All children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Universal Truth #2 Universal Truth #2 We Connect… Children succeed when they have meaningful, sustainable relationships with caring adults.

Universal Truth # 3 Kids succeed when they can articulate their future in four Destinations.

Hope defined - Hope is the capacity to visit your future (mental time travel to four destinations), return to the present and prepare for the journey.

Success Redefined – 4 Destinations

Building the framework WE BELIEVE Universal Truth #1 – Children succeed when they are surrounded by adults who believe they can succeed. All children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS! (Foundation) WE CONNECT Universal Truth #2 – Children succeed when they have meaningful, sustainable relationships with caring adults. ACES Anchor Parent Other Caring Adults High Expectations Opportunities for Success (1 st Bearing Wall) WE TIME TRAVEL Universal Truth #3 – Children succeed when they can articulate their future. FOUR DESTINATIONS Home & Family Hobbies & Recreation Community & Service Education & Career (2 nd Bearing Wall)

REFLECTIONS OF A TREASURE HUNTER - Did I honor my commitment to being a Treasure Hunter today by: Believing in the success of all children, NO EXCEPTIONS! Connecting with children by establishing meaningful relationships with them – handing out ACES. Time Traveling mentally with children to their future in the four destination points – Home & Family, Education & Career, Hobbies & Recreation, Community & Service.

The greatest at risk factors lie not just in family dynamics, social conditions, or community poverty of services… but in our personal beliefs about children, our relationships with them, and our ability to help children sense and prepare for a future in which they can succeed.