WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENTAL
ASSETS?
Assets usually signify financial resources.
In our context, assets mean valuable
resources of another kind.
 The Search Institute is a nonprofit
organization that has identified 40 assets a
young person needs to be successful.
 These assets are 40 values, experiences,
relationships, and qualities that bring many
benefits to the young people who have
them.

WHY ARE DEVELOPMENTAL
ASSETS IMPORTANT?
Assets are one of many tools that we
can use to provide the positive guidance
children need to succeed.
 “Asset-rich” children take fewer negative
risks and are more likely to be
successful academically, socially, and
emotionally than children who lack those
experiences and qualities.

RESEARCH
There is no magic number of assets
young people should have.
 Research indicates that if our youth
have developed more than 20 of these
assets, then they have at least a
moderate chance of succeeding in their
quest to achieve happiness – to thrive –
to live well.

WHY SHOULD WE BUILD ASSETS
AT CRISMAN SCHOOL?
One analogy that is often used
compares assets to the building blocks
of healthy youth development.
 When a tower is built it will not stand
without a good foundation.
 The assets “build” a healthy, sturdy,
stable young person.

Asset Building
When adults intentionally help young
people gain more assets, that is called
“asset building”.
 Asset building is not a new program, but an
awareness – a way to interact with young
people. Crisman teachers have always
been asset builders.
 By purposefully and repeatedly using asset
language and actions, we continue to make
a significant difference with the students.

PRESENTING THE 40
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS
Support – Young people need to be surrounded by people
who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.
Empowerment – Young people need to feel valued and
valuable. This happens when youth feel safe, when they
believe they are liked and respected, and when they
contribute to their families, schools, and communities.
Boundaries and Expectations – Young people need the
positive influence of peers and adults who encourage
them to be and do their best. Youth also need clear rules
about appropriate behavior and consistent, reasonable
consequences for breaking those rules.
PRESENTING THE 40
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS
Constructive Use of Time – Young people need
opportunities to learn and develop new skills and interests.
Commitment to Learning – Young people need a variety
of learning experiences, including the desire for academic
success, a sense of the lasting importance of learning, and
a belief in their own abilities.
Positive Values – Young people need to develop strong
guiding values, including caring about others, high
standards for personal character, and believing in
protecting their own well-being.
PRESENTING THE 40
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS
Social Competencies – Young people need the skills to
interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions
and choices, and to cope with new situations.
Positive Identity – Young people need to believe in their
own self-worth, to feel they have control over the things
that happen to them, and to have a sense of purpose in
life.
CRISMAN’S APPROACH
Our staff met and identified 5 of those
assets that we felt were the most
important to building academic success.
 Those 5 assets are being intentionally
targeted throughout this school year.

CRISMAN’S TARGETED ASSETS
2011-2012
Caring School Climate
 Parent Involvement
 School Boundaries
 High Expectations
 School Engagement


There is a banner in the school foyer
that addresses these targeted assets.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR CRISMAN
SCHOOL?
We will meet in the fall and determine
the next set of assets to target during
the next school year.
 We will continue to build the original
targeted assets.
 We will continue to share information
with parents regarding the
Developmental Assets.

PARENTS AND ASSETS
Research has indicated that schools can
most directly affect only 22 of the 40
assets.
 Asset building should not be limited to
the classroom.
 It is imperative that educators reach out
to parents, neighbors, and community
members, as well as youth and civic
organizations.

HELPFUL PARENT RESOURCES
search-institute.org
ParentFurther.com
pncgrowupgreat.com/parents
“Ideas for Parents” newsletters
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Research shows that the first decade of
life is the most important time to build
the assets.
 By building assets with and for your
children, you can ensure that they will
have the skills, tools, and experiences
they need to grow into successful adults
who make good decisions for
themselves and positively influence
those around them.

This Power Point Presentation
was created by
Lori Wiseman
and
Jim Babcock.