Standards of the Heart

Standards of the Heart and How Schools Can Foster Them

The Foundation of Successful Citizenship

Seven characteristics of successful schools in developing caring, contributing, productive, and responsible citizens.

In order for a school to be effective in helping children become caring, contributing, productive, and responsible, the school itself must model these traits. The DPI Citizenship Toolkit describes the following 7 characteristics of schools successful in this mission.

Citizenship Toolkit: Print version (pdf)

	1. Core Values: School and community members identify citizenship qualities such as honesty and responsibility that all agree to foster in children. These qualities are modeled by staff and students alike and set the standard for acceptable behavior.
	2. Safe and Orderly Places: Students and staff feel respected, and the climate and culture of the school is drug free and safe from any form of violence. Children and adults learn constructive ways to settle differences, and peaceful conflict resolution is the norm.
	3. Family and Community Involvement: The contributions of all who make up the school community are honored and celebrated. Parents, caregivers, and community members have a variety of opportunities to make meaningful contributions to school programming and student citizenship development.
	4. Address Societal Issues: Prevention of risk behaviors such as violence, alcohol and other drug abuse, AIDS/HIV, and teen pregnancy are a valued part of the school's programs. Services are available to students and staff who may be facing such issues in their own lives.
	5. Positive Relationships: Students feel personally known and cared for by at least one adult in the school. Students and community members are viewed as resources for supporting one another.
	6. Engage Students' Minds: Schools use many strategies and approaches to make learning relevant for students. Classrooms are interactive places that often take learning beyond the schoolhouse door.
	7. High Expectations: Students are expected to do their best and experience success. All students and staff are expected to model positive behaviors that embody good citizenship.

For questions about Citizenship or Standards of the Heart, contact Doug White, or call (608) 266-5198.

For questions about this information, contact dpisspw@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9117

Last updated on 2/2/2012 11:36:30 AM