The Positive Action program is effective as a traditional and as a schoolwide guidance and counseling program in schools with and without counselors. The concepts presented in Positive Action lessons give daily relevance and reinforcement to many of the concepts presented by a school counseling staff, and they provide a framework for a solid, schoolwide guidance and counseling program.

Many school counseling programs focus on the results of poor self-concepts. Discipline problems, vandalism, abusive situations, and other negative actions are far more common among children who do not feel good about themselves. The Positive Action model takes a positive approach, teaching students how and why to avoid negative actions and why positive thoughts, actions, and feelings are so rewarding.

School counselors are usually enthusiastic supporters of the Positive Action model, and they appreciate the daily presentation of lessons that contribute to good self-concepts. School counselors and guidance workers often use Positive Action concepts to help students identify and resolve problems and take responsibility for their behavior.

Because teachers spend so much time each day with their students, they are in an ideal position to teach and reinforce principles that build a positive self-concept. Positive Action lessons present these principles in a systematic approach that is age-appropriate, interesting, fun, and motivating for the students.

One goal of the Positive Action model is to improve the atmosphere of the entire school so that Positive Action becomes a way of life, not an abstract theory. By combining the expertise of a counseling staff with the everyday Positive Action classroom lessons, the school will provide a solid basis for developing students’ self-concepts.