Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
“Many teachers are increasingly aware that it is possible to use existing language arts, social studies, history, or arts courses as a springboard from which to promote social and emotional literacy.” – Jonathan Cohen in “Social, Emotional, Ethical, and Academic Education: Creating a Climate for Learning, Participation in Democracy, and Well-Being”
High-quality character education leads to academic achievement. Take a look at this supporting study: Character and Academics: What Good Schools Do
Our National Schools of Character consistently show that character education is positively correlated with academic achievement. 100 percent of the 2010 NSOC reporting have experienced an increase in state reading scores or have passing rates above 90% and more than half reached AYP.
In comparison, 38 percent of schools nationwide failed to reach AYP in 2011, a 10% increase from 2007.
“Our students made substantial gains on the state assessments at every grade level assessed and in comparison to our regional district cohort and the state as a whole. What is even more encouraging is that the gap between white, African-American, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged student groups is shrinking on all assessments.”
– Dr. Timothy R Jenney, superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School District (2011 NSOC)
When kids understand the importance of doing their best work, and the intrinsic value this carries – the ability to reach their potential – they will do their best because they want to, not because they have been asked. They will be the best student, friend, classmate, community member, and citizen they can be because it makes them feel good to do good and do well.
“You can’t run a school effectively without a thorough knowledge that social and emotional learning goes hand-in-hand with academic success”
– Dina Rocheleau, principal of Roosevelt Primary School (2011 NSOC).
View the Case Study: Lindbergh High School, St. Louis MO (2011 NSOC)In 1999, Lindbergh thought it was doing well academically until it compared itself with analogous districts: Lindbergh was sixth out of six in state test results, its ACT composite was 22, and only about half of the graduating class had taken the ACT.
Today, Lindbergh is recognized as one of Missouri’s Top Ten Highest-Performing Schools for academic achievement in mathematics and communication arts.
From 1999 to 2009, student performance on the MAP improved from 24 to 84 percent proficient/advanced in mathematics, and from 10 to 66 percent in communication arts.
Lindbergh’s principal, Dr. Ron Helms, attributes the school’s academic growth to character education becoming “part of the culture.”
Helms reports, “This safe, secure, and respectful environment has allowed students to focus their attention on academic achievement. More time is spent on studies and academic pursuits rather than struggling to be safe.”
Marvin Berkowitz and Melinda Bier, experts in the field of character education, have identified character education programs that enhance academic achievement.
- Child Development Project
- Lions-Quest
- Peaceful Schools Project
- PATHE
- Positive Action
- Raising Healthy Children
- Seattle Social Development Project
- Social Decision Making/Problem Solving
- Teaching Students to be Peacemakers
- Teen Outreach
Researcher after researcher has found a relationship between comprehensive character education and improved scholastic success. Several have said, “Well-conceived programs of character education can and should exist side-by-side with strong academic programs.”
Jonathan Cohen, president of the National School Climate Center (formerly the Center for Social and Emotional Education), says there are more than 300 empirical studies that support the notion that “when schools make these core processes integral facets of school life, student achievement increases and school violence decreases.”