The Positive Action program is a leading, common-sense program that reforms and revitalizes schools to enable them to meet the needs of today’s children.

It is comprised of five building blocks: a philosophy, a set of unit concepts, a classroom curriculum, a school-climate program, and a parent and community program. Each is an important part of education by itself, but when the blocks are used together the results are magnified.

Although each Positive Action Grade Kit averages 140 lessons, only 20 lessons per grade level are required to see positive results and achieve fidelity. In other words, the program can be partially implemented and the school will still see strong results.

With the Positive Action program in place, students become happier and more motivated, teachers are free to focus on teaching instead of classroom control, and principals become better leaders. Fewer discipline referrals coincide with higher test scores. Parents and community members get more involved in education, and schools become more effective.

Building Blocks for an Effective School

Positive Action Philosophy Is the Foundation

The Positive Action program is built on the foundation of a simple, universal truth: We feel good about ourselves when we do positive actions.

The Positive Action Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle illustrates how this works: Our thoughts lead to actions, and those actions lead to feelings about ourselves, which lead to more thoughts. The circle can be positive or negative. The Positive Action philosophy becomes the foundation for what happens at school and in life.

Learning to read and do math are positive actions as are learning to be responsible and respectful. When academics are considered, positive actions and school climate reinforce the positive actions taught in the classroom and school becomes meaningful and motivating. The result is a positive self-concept. Students, educators, parents, and community members solve problems while encouraging educational excellence and responsible citizenship.

Positive Action Unit Concepts Are the Framework

Feeling good about ourselves begins with identifying positive actions and then doing them. Throughout the Positive Action program, positive actions for the body, mind, and feelings are presented in a framework of six unit concepts, with a seventh unit for review. These units cover the positive actions for the whole self:

• Unit 1. Self-Concept: What It Is, How It's Formed, and Why It's Important
• Unit 2. Positive Actions for Your Body and Mind
• Unit 3. Managing Yourself Responsibly
• Unit 4. Treating Others the Way You Like to Be Treated
• Unit 5. Telling Yourself the Truth
• Unit 6. Improving Yourself Continually
• Unit 7. Review

Classroom Curriculum Provides the Walls

The Positive Action PreK–12 classroom curriculum fills in the walls of the Positive Action framework. It includes a complete kit for each of grades PreK–8, plus supplemental drug-education kits for grade 5 and middle school that the high school kit is based on. A textbook with materials prepares students in grades 9–12 for adult life. The curriculum includes over 1,200 lessons that use a variety of methodologies and address all learning styles. The school wide Positive Action curriculum can be implemented throughout a whole school and/or district. It is complete and comprehensive in its approach and content. It is fun, easy to use, and loved by students and teachers.

School-Climate Program Provides the Roof

The school-climate program is the roof that covers the entire school. It ties together the activities and coordinates the lessons into a school wide program. It unites the school with families and community. The school-climate program provides opportunities throughout each day to practice lessons learned in the classroom. Everyone that is involved with the school becomes a part of the school-climate program by creating together an exciting, dynamic school with a positive learning environment.

Parent & Community Program Completes Positive Action for an Effective School

Everything is tied together into a continuous, harmonious whole as parents and community members get actively involved in the Positive Action school. The Positive Action program promotes family and community participation through a well-designed parent curriculum and activities. The program encourages collaboration among schools, homes, businesses, and institutions, thus promoting school-family-community partnerships.