SUPPORT

Family life provides high level of love and support

Young person and his or her parent(s) communicate positively

Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school

Young person receives support from three or more non-parent adults.

Young person experiences caring neighbors.

School provides a caring, encouraging environment.

COMMITMENT TO LEARNING

Young person is motivated to do well in school.

Young person is actively engaged in learning.

Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.

Young person cares about his or her school.

Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.

EMPOWERMENT

Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.

Young people are given useful roles in the community.

Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.

Young person feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood.

SOCIAL COMPETENCIES

Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices.

Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.

Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.

Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.

BOUNDARIES & EXPECTATIONS

Family has clear rules and consequences, and monitors the young person’s whereabouts.

School provides clear rules and consequences.

Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.

Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.

Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.

Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.

POSITIVE VALUES

Young person places high value on helping other people.

Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.

Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.

Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.”

Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility.

Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.

POSITIVE IDENTITY

Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me.”

Young person reports having a high self-esteem.

Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.”

Young person is optimistic about his or her personal future.

CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME

Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.

Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community.

Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.

Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week.