Frequently Asked Questions About The Character Effect™

Recently, there has been a lot of talk in the news about how and what students are being taught. There are lot of acronyms being used and a lot of confusion. We’re glad you’re so engaged in your student’s complete education so here are some answers to some of your questions regarding The Character Effect™. The Character Effect™ is an evidence-based universal Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program that is based on the science of positive psychology and mindfulness. It is a proven, effective approach to improve the educational environment in schools, helping children succeed in school and develop into positive adults. We hope this answers your questions and helps you better understand The Character Effect™.

Blogs for Parents

We recognize parents may have questions about the program and created an FAQs:  https://thecharactereffect.org/blog/faq-for-parents-2/

Social & emotional learning is a relatively new term for people outside education to translate how these ‘soft skills’ are needed to succeed in future careers:  https://thecharactereffect.org/blog/adulting-101-social-and-emotional-learning-and-life-skills/

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does The Character Effect teach Critical Race Theory?
Critical race theory is not part of The Character Effect™ program or curriculum.

2. Is Social and Emotional Learning related to Critical Race Theory?
Social and emotional learning is the process of building confidence and other life skills that children can use to develop emotional intelligence as adults. These skills help children learn to become more resilient in the face of adversity, on the way to becoming contributing, positive adults. Social and emotional learning is focused on helping individuals grow and succeed.

Critical race theory is a different concept, and it is not part of The Character Effect™ curriculum.

3. Why is my school using The Character Effect™ to introduce Critical Race Theory into our schools?
Critical race theory is not part of The Character Effect™ program or curriculum.

The Character Effect™ is an evidence-based universal Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program that is based on the science of positive psychology and mindfulness. The program helps children succeed in schools and develop into positive adults.

4. How does The Character Effect™ address race?
The Character Effect’s™ curriculum promotes the appreciation and belonging of everyone in the school community.

The Character Effect™ focuses on self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills to help children learn to build positive relationships with all the people in their lives. Children achieve a sense of belonging and connection and feel welcomed by others.

5. What does The Character Effect™ do?
The Character Effect™ is a character education and social and emotional learning program for grades K-12, and a proven, effective approach to improving the educational environment in schools. The Character Effect™ works by rallying all the adults in a student’s life to promote the development of the child’s natural character strengths. As a result, children feel less anxious and more confident, teachers focus more on teaching than discipline, and parents become more involved, all leading to more success in the school.

Social and emotional learning programs such as The Character Effect™ promote competencies that increase the likelihood of high school graduation, readiness for college, career success, positive relationships, reduced criminal behavior, and positive mental health.

6. Does The Character Effect™ work?
Yes. In 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded The Character Effect™ with the evidence-based designation, validating it as an effective approach to improve the learning environment for both teachers and students.

The Character Effect™ is growing because more schools are realizing how well it works to improve students’ self-confidence and other social and emotional skills, and more broadly, the learning environment in schools. First established in the 2017-2018 school year, it is currently being used by over 30 schools in Greater Cincinnati and several more nationwide.

7. Why is social and emotional learning being taught in our school?
The strong social and emotional learning program for students from The Character Effect™ focuses on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Reinforcing these competencies have been proven to create a strong foundation for the child to become a resilient adult, while also improving the learning environment in schools and better equipping teachers to manage student behavior.

8. What is the ‘assessment’ mentioned in the letter?
A survey for teachers to complete from The Devereux Center for Resilient Children about each student in the classroom. It is administered at the beginning of the school year and then at the end to show growth, in part because of The Character Effect™.

During the past 4 weeks, how often did the child…
[Options: Never, Rarely, Occasionally, Frequently, Very Frequently]
1. accept responsibility for what she/he did?
2. do something nice for somebody?
3. speak about positive things?
4. pay attention?
5. contribute to group efforts?
6. perform the steps of a task in order?
7. show care when doing a project or school work?
8. follow the advice of a trusted adult?
9. show good judgment?
10. take steps to achieve goals?
11. try to do her/his best?
12. focus on a task despite a problem or distraction?
13. prepare for school, activities, or upcoming events?
14. do routine tasks or chores without being reminded?
15. learn from experience?
16. express high expectations for himself/herself?

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