While the emphasis on school transformation focuses on standards, cognitive skills, and teaching strategies, research is mounting that character, culture and social/emotional development may be just as important.

The programs described below may emphasize different qualities and have somewhat different strategies but they have strong common themes and have all been associated with increases in student progress and/or improved student behavior, perseverence, etc.

• Character education focuses on a curriculum teaching students qualities like honesty, kindness, perseverence and responsibility.
• Social/emotional development programs key on relationships, problem solving and caring.
• Some efforts put the focus on increasing positive feelings and interactions.
• Other efforts  put the focus on school culture and look to apply similar qualities into the whole school environment. (more…)