1. SEARCH INSTITUTE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS Building Blocks for Healthy Development

2. Background Search Institute is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities.

3. The Surveys Elementary school students in grades 4 & 5 take the survey entitled ‘Me and My World’ Middle and High school students take the survey entitled ‘Attitudes and Behaviors’ The survey results are presented as a collective whole, as well as being segregated by campus, division, campus, grade level, and gender.

4. The Surveys Our students took the survey at the end of November The survey is given every three years This is the third time that the survey has been given Feedback has been gathered from teachers, counselors and parents and has been passed on to Education Programs and the K-12 Counseling department about the appropriateness of the survey for our community

5. Research has shown that youth with higher levels of assets are significantly less likely to engage in risk- taking behaviors. In addition, they are more likely to exhibit thriving indicators, such as school success and community service.

6. Thing to consider about this information: Our students may interpret these questions differently (ex. 7 American Indian or Pacific Islander) Vocabulary: ex. Neighborhood When presenting data on areas where our students are thriving and the areas of concern, some survey items are not separated between Middle and High School.

7. THE ASSETS The 40 assets measured are divided into categories: External assets are positive developmental experiences that surround youth with support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, and opportunities for constructive use of time. Internal assets are a young person’s commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity.

8. 20 External Assets: Family Support Positive family communication Other adult relationships Caring neighborhood Caring school climate Parent involvement in schooling Community values youth Youth as resources Service to others Safety Family boundaries School boundaries Neighborhood boundaries Adult role models Positive peer influence High expectations Creative activities Youth programs Religious community Time at home

9. Table Talk: Looking at the external assets, in which areas do you think our students thrive? What do you think are the areas of concern?

10. Where we thrive in our external assets: Greater than 70%: Family support (72%) Family provides high levels of love and support Positive Peer influence (86%) Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior Youth Programs (75%) – Sports and other clubs Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports clubs or organizations at school and/or community organizations Time at home (87%) Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week

11. External assets that are a concern: Less than 30% Caring Neighborhood (26%) Young person experiences caring neighbors Community values youth (17%) Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth Neighborhood boundaries (26%) Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young peoples behavior Creative activities (30%) – The Arts Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater or other arts

12. 20 Internal Assets: Achievement and motivation School engagement Homework Bonding to school Reading for pleasure Caring Equality and social justice Integrity Honesty Responsibility Restraint Planning and decision making Interpersonal competence Cultural competence Resistance skills Peaceful conflict resolutions Personal power Self esteem Sense of purpose Positive view of personal future

13. Table Talk: Looking at the internal assets, in which areas do you think our students thrive? What do you think are the areas of concern?

14. Where we thrive with our internal assets: Greater than 70%: Achievement and Motivation (85%) Young person is motivated to do well in school Homework (86%) Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day School engagement (70%) Young person is actively engaged in learning Bonding to school (81%) Young person cares about his or her school Integrity (75%) Young person acts on convictions and stands up for his or her beliefs Honesty (70%) Young person tells the truth even when it is not easy Responsibility (70%) Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility

15. Internal Assets That Are a Concern: Note: There were no internal assets under 30% Less than 40%: Reading for pleasure (34%) young person reads for pleasure 3 or more hours per week Planning and decision-making (35%) young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices Personal Power (39%) young person feels that he/she has control over “things that happen to me”

16. Other notable data : In general, our results are very similar to the Puxi campus.

17. Search Institute recommends that the number of assets a student should aim to obtain is between 31-40.

19. Table Talk Why do you think there is a difference and decrease in the number of assets from middle to high school?

21. Table Talk: What can we as a community do to boost our number of assets?

22. Suggestions for boosting the number of assets our student have: Give adequate adult support through long-term, positive intergenerational relationships Provide meaningful leadership and community involvement opportunities Engage young people in youth-serving programs Provide consistent and well-defined behavioral boundaries Help youth connect to their community Create critical opportunities to develop social competencies and form positive values.

23. Eight Indicators of Thriving Youth Experience school success Help others informally Value diversity Maintain good personal health Exhibit leadership Resist danger Control impulsive behavior Overcome adversity

24. The high the number of assets, the more likely our students will thrive

25. Middle Schoolers Thriving Our survey results indicate that, when compared to high school students, our middle school students maintain better health and are more likely to delay gratification.

26. The following data may contain surprises As you view the next few slides, please take note of any of the things that surprise you.

27. Areas Where our Students are Thriving > 70% agreed and/or strongly agreed that: At school I try as hard as a I can and I do my best work It bothers me when I don’t do something well On the whole, I like myself It is against my values to drink alcohol while I am a teenager All in all, I’m glad I am me It is against my values to have sex while I am a teenager

28. Other Areas Where our Students are Thriving > 70% reported these to be important: Helping other people Helping to reduce hunger and poverty in the world Helping to make the world a better place in which to live Helping to make sure that all people are treated fairly Speaking up for equality (everyone should have a say in rights and opportunities)

29. Other Areas Where our Students are Thriving: > 70% reported these to be important: Doing what I think is right even when my friends make fun of me Standing up for what I believe even when it is unpopular to do so Telling the truth, even when its not easy Accepting responsibility for my actions when I make a mistake or get in trouble Doing my best, even when I have to do a job I don’t like

30. Survey Results Show Parents are Thriving in the Following Areas: > 70% agreed and/or strongly agreed that: My parents push me to be the best I can be My parents often tell me that they love me In my family I feel useful and important In my family there are clear rules about what I can and cannot do I get along well with my parents My parents give me help and support when I need it 93% report that they do not get hurt by someone in their home I have a lot of good conversations with my parents

31. Survey Results Show our School is Thriving in the Following Areas: > 70% agreed and/or strongly agreed that: My teachers really care about me I get a lot of encouragement at my school Teachers at school push me to be the best I can be In my school, there are clear rules about what students can and cannot do I care about the school I go to Students in my school care about me At my school, everyone knows that you will get in trouble for using alcohol or other drugs Students are never afraid of getting hurt by someone at school

32. Survey Results Show our Neighborhood and Community is Thriving in the Following Areas: Students never feel afraid walking around in their neighborhood Students feel that they get a lot of encouragement from adults in their community (parents and relatives excluded) Students report they have not been a victim of violence where someone caused physical pain or injury

33. Table Talk What did you find surprising? What results are you most happy to see?

34. Risk taking behaviors include: Alcohol use/Binge drinking Illegal Drug abuse – e.g. inhalants, marijuana Smoking Early sexual intercourse Vandalism Bullying – verbal and/or physical Skipping school Riding with a driver who has been drinking Eating disorders Depression Attempted suicide Smokeless tobacco use Drinking while driving Shoplifting Using a weapon/carrying a weapon for protection Gambling Getting into trouble with the police Fighting in groups

35. Risk taking Behaviors

36. Risk taking behaviors : The number of youth who reported risk-taking behaviors is comparatively very low, but still important for us to acknowledge and report

37. Risk taking behaviors Average percent of our middle school youth report: Shoplifting once or more in the last 12 months – 6% Committed vandalism once or more in the last 12 months – 6% Hit someone once or more in the last 12 months – 17% Being in a group fight once or more in the last 12 months – 11% Threatened physical harm to someone in the last 12 months – 7% Skipped school once or more in the last 4 weeks – 5% Gambled once or more in the last 12 months – 9% Has engaged in bulimic or anorexic behavior – 6%

38. Risk-taking behaviors Felt sad or depressed most or all of the time in the last month – 8% Has attempted suicide one or more times – 8% Used alcohol once or more in the last 30 days – 7% Got drunk once or more in the last two weeks – 1% Smoked cigarettes once or more in the last 30 days – 0% Sniffed or inhaled substances to get high once or more in the last 30 days – 3% Used marijuana or hashish once or more in the last 30 days – 0.5% Used heroine or other narcotics once or more in the last 12 months – 0%

39. Table Talk What did you find surprising? In our school community, what do we have in our control to change?

40. How can the results be used as a valuable tool? To establish and monitor the social and emotional well being of our student community on a regular basis. To identify and celebrate strengths in the current community and programs offered at SAS. To identify and focus on areas of growth in current and new programs offered at SAS E.g. Home base, Health and Counseling. To provide the parent community with information that may help guide their involvement in developing closer relationships with their children and the SAS community as a whole.

41. 40 ways anyone can build assets Support Show courtesy to family members in public and at home Invite caring, responsible adults to be part of your children’s lives Vow to say one encouraging thing to someone each day Encourage passions and interest in others Volunteer to be a mentor for a young person

42. 40 ways anyone can build assets Empowerment Include young people as active participants in events Encourage teenagers to take leadership roles in their community Do simple acts of community service together Give young people appropriate and important responsibilities within the family Teach children and youth how to be safe wherever they go

43. 40 ways anyone can build assets Boundaries & Expectations When setting boundaries for someone else, explain the values behind them Talk together about how to establish family rules and consequences Treat all people, regardless of age, with respect Be a positive role model in a young person’s life Respect teenagers’ privacy, but take interest in their friends and activities

44. 40 ways anyone can build assets Constructive Use of Time Visit museums and libraries and attend plays and concerts with youth Encourage teens to be involved in at least one hobby Have a regular family night to do something fun together Involve youth in decisions about family spiritual activities Volunteer in programs and activities for young children

45. 40 ways anyone can build assets Commitment to Learning Ask a young person to teach you a new skill Set daily homework goals Organize a neighborhood book swap Invite a teacher to have dinner at your home Believe that all young people can learn

46. 40 ways anyone can build assets Positive Values Remember that mistakes are part of living and growing Show care and concern for your neighbors by offering a helping hand Write down what you believe. Post it where you will see it often Be responsible for all your thoughts, words, and actions Try new things and take on new responsibilities

47. 40 ways anyone can build assets Social Competencies Have a family meeting where children have a voice in decision making Smile and say hello to at least one new person each day Learn about your own cultural heritage and the heritage of others Help youth practice coping skills when difficult situations arise Learn and model peaceful ways to resolve disagreement

48. 40 ways anyone can build assets Positive Identity Dwell on what children do right instead of what they do wrong Avoid comparing young people with each other Let youth know that you are proud of their talents, capabilities, and discoveries Listen when young people talk about their sense of purpose in life Ask young people what they are passionate about

49. Homework! Choose three to five of these asset builders to focus on in the next two weeks!

50. Table Talk What feedback or concerns about this survey would you like us to bring back to the faculty and administration?

51. Suggested Resources for Parents Parentfurther.com Sparks: How Parents can Ignite the Hidden Strength of Teenagers Parenting at the Speed of Teens (2004) For a complete list of resources, go to: www.searchinstitutestore.org