Education FAQ June 2007

June 2007

Question:
Are there any school based interventions that have had a positive effect on behavior and academic achievement?

Answer:
One character education program that stands out in a recent "What Works" publication is Positive Action, a K–12 program, aimed to promote character development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills and to reduce disruptive and problem behavior. The program is based on the philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you think and do positive actions, and there is always a positive way to do everything. The curriculum includes six units; some grades have a review for a seventh unit. All lessons are scripted and use classroom discussion, role-play, games, songs, and activity sheets or text booklets. Optional components that may or may not be implemented as part of the program are: site-wide climate development; drug education for grade 5 and middle school; conflict resolution; counselor, parent, and family classes; and community/coalition components.

Positive Action's
Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle

Over 25 years, more than 13,000 homes, schools, social services, and communities have benefited from Positive Action. The founding principle, illustrated by the Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle, is that "Positive thoughts lead to positive actions, positive actions lead to positive feelings about yourself, and positive feelings lead to more positive thoughts."

For more information on this program and the study by What Works, go to http://www.whatworks.ed.gov/Topic.asp?tid=12&ReturnPage=default.asp or http://www.positiveaction.net/.

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health

Education Frequently Asked Questions

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	June 2007 Question: Are there any school based interventions that have had a positive effect on behavior and academic achievement? Answer: One character education program that stands out in a recent "What Works" publication is Positive Action, a K–12 program, aimed to promote character development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills and to reduce disruptive and problem behavior. The program is based on the philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you think and do positive actions, and there is always a positive way to do everything. The curriculum includes six units; some grades have a review for a seventh unit. All lessons are scripted and use classroom discussion, role-play, games, songs, and activity sheets or text booklets. Optional components that may or may not be implemented as part of the program are: site-wide climate development; drug education for grade 5 and middle school; conflict resolution; counselor, parent, and family classes; and community/coalition components. Positive Action's Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle Over 25 years, more than 13,000 homes, schools, social services, and communities have benefited from Positive Action. The founding principle, illustrated by the Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle, is that "Positive thoughts lead to positive actions, positive actions lead to positive feelings about yourself, and positive feelings lead to more positive thoughts." For more information on this program and the study by What Works, go to http://www.whatworks.ed.gov/Topic.asp?tid=12&ReturnPage=default.asp or http://www.positiveaction.net/.