Positive Action has been used in Chicago Public School for more than eight years. More recently, the University of Illinois at Chicago received a Social and Character Development research grant from the U.S. Department of Education to study Positive Action for character education. Positive Action is one of seven programs being studied by the Department, and we eagerly welcome this opportunity to add to the field of knowledge on character education.

The grant began in 2003 in seven program schools that are matched with seven control schools that were randomly assigned to conditions. The project, now in its second year, is showing good progress and measurable successes. Schools using Positive Action are seeing significant improvements in student behavior, the climate of their school, the involvement of families, and academic performance.

Schools are having great success with their lessons and assemblies and are using many creative, fun ideas. One school created a giant “ICU Doing Something Positive” box for their foyer; another school is painting a Positive Action mural in their hallway. All schools are particularly pleased with family involvement in their Positive Action Family Classes. In fact, Joseph Day, the Family Classes Coordinator for the project, has been asked by one of the schools to be their Commencement speaker. One of the school’s Physical Education teachers, Mr. Marshal, had t-shirts made for his class to improve the willingness of students to dress for class. It is inspiring to see these exciting developments in Chicago Public Schools.