Caring School Community™

The CHARACTERplus Way^sm

A program of Developmental Studies Center, Oakland, California

In partnership with CHARACTERplus®

THE CARING SCHOOL COMMUNITY™ (CSC) the CHARACTERplus Way^SM OFFERS a multi-phase, school wide program whose central aim is to help each school become a “caring community of learners” that effectively promotes students’ intellectual, social, and ethical development and teachers’ continuous improvement of practice.

Based on a four year research study funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, Partnerships in Character Education Program has:

-Increased student achievement up to 54% in math and 47% in communication arts.

-Improved student pro-social behavior with a decrease of up to 41% in discipline referrals including behaviors associated with bullying and alcohol and drug use.

With this program you will be able to answer YES to the following:

 A framework and program model that can withstand change

 Data-driven with a research-based evaluation model for continuous improvement

 Change agent for supportive and collaborative school culture and easily supports professional learning communities

 Character and achievement is an integral part of the process

 Local, state and federal standards and mandates can be aligned to the process

 Fits into a multi-tiered pyramid model as tier 1

 Endorsed as a research-based program by the U.S. Dept of Education

 Embedded professional development

 Collaborative leadership structure

 Will meet 4th Cycle MSIP Standards for violence prevention

 Can work with current discipline and behavior policies

 Training and coaching hours allocated for building staff

 Networking, learning, and problem solving with other schools

Participate in this effective program:

1. Download the application for continuing elementary schools

2. Download the application/brochure for new elementary schools

3. Download the application/brochure for Initial Middle/High Schools

4. Download the application/brochure for continuing middle schools

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE RESULTS?

The CSC program is grounded in 25 years of implementation experience in elementary schools across the country. In national studies, schools show significant positive effects on students’ social and ethical development. Follow-up studies show those students from CSC schools receive higher grades and achieve higher standardized test scores while in middle school.

After eight years of implementation in St. Louis, results include:

• Significant increase in student achievement in the areas of communication arts and math

• Dramatic decrease in discipline referrals

• Significant increase in students’, staff, and parents’ positive perception of their school as a community where adults and students care about each other

• Increase in attendance

• Significant positive effects on school safety and climate

• Increase in parent involvement

• Increase in collegiality among staff

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO SCHOOLS/DISTRICTS?

• Baseline and on-going data gathered from students, staff, and parents to use in planning and MSIP goal-setting

• Networking, learning, and problem solving with other schools

• Assistance with further program development

Please download the brochure for more information.

Research results are now available.