Commentary; Posted: 4/7/04

Assets help kids become successful

Steve Massey
Guest Columnist

I would like to complement the Forest Lake Times for their work in presenting the series of articles related to adolescent drug and alcohol use. The articles presented current data regarding teen chemical use along with resources parents may turn to if their child is using chemicals. This is valuable, if not critical, information for the parents whose child is using drugs or alcohol.

The role of the high school is to join families and the community in fostering thriving and successful students.

The Search Institute of Minneapolis has done extensive research to identify essential assets kids need to become thriving successful young people. Search has identified 20 internal and 20 external assets necessary for healthy development. These assets are listed below.

External Assets

ïFamily Support; ïPositive Family Communication; ï Other Adult Relationships;ï Caring Neighborhood; ïCaring School Climate; ïParent Involvement in Schooling; ïCommunity values youth; ïYouth as Resources; ïService to Others; ïSafety; ïFamily Boundaries; ïSchool Boundaries; ïNeighborhood Boundaries; ïAdult Role Models; ïPositive Peer Influence; ïHigh Expectations; ïCreative Activities; ïYouth Programs; ïReligious Community;ï Time at Home

Internal Assets

ïAchievement Motivation; ïSchool Engagement; ïHomework; ïBonding to School; ïReading for Pleasure; ïCaring; ïEquality and Social Justice; ïIntegrity; ïHonesty; ïResponsibility; ïRestraint; ïPlanning and Decision Making; ïInterpersonal Competence; ïResistance Skills; ïPeaceful Conflict Resolution;ÝïPersonal Power; ïSelf Esteem; ïSense of Purpose; ïPositive View of Personal Future

The assets have a protective nature. The more assets one has, the less likely he/she is to engage in risk taking behavior. Conversely, the greater the number of assets an individual has in his/her life, the more likely they are to thrive and be successful.

According to the Search Institute research of 254,464 students between ages 6-12 nationally 46 percent were less likely to use alcohol if they had between 26 and 30 assets than if they had 0-10 assets; 34 percent were less likely to use tobacco; 37 percent were less likely to struggle with depression/suicide; 35 percent were less likely to engage in violent behavior; 44 percent were less likely to have school problems (poor grades, truancy, discipline) and 35 percent were less likely to drive while under the influence of alcohol.

One may quickly conclude from this research that providing assets and helping students develop internal assets is a powerful way of fostering thriving students who make positive choices. Simply put the greater the number of assets, the less likely a student is to engage in risk taking behavior.

Raising young people is clearly a family, community and school responsibility. The asset research suggests the extent to which an individual will thrive is dependent upon the extent to which he/she develops internal assets and exposed to external assets. Schools have a tremendous opportunity to promote asset development in their students. Through caring and competent teachers and a wide range of co-curricular activities, the Forest Lake schools promote asset development every day.

I would like to take this opportunity to address the claims made in a recent letter to the editor by Linda Yaeger. Yaeger claims the ìdistrictís drug problem continues unabated even though the majority of its students have participated in DARE, modified DARE or some other drug prevention program.î Yaeger also asserts that high school drug dealers go undetected, suggesting that drug dealing is common place. I disagree!

At any moment of any day, you will see most of the students attending the high school doing amazing things. They are actively engaged in their classes. They stay up late and write papers and study for exams. They are performing in the Fall, One-Act, and/or Spring play. They are performing in the school band, orchestra, or choir.

They are working on the school yearbook or school newspaper. They are participating in the FFA. They are engaging in service projects through National Honors Society or other groups. They are participating in SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). They are participating in team sports and other co-curricular activities. They are making plans to attend colleges and universities next year. They are planning school events and learning governmental procedures through student council. They volunteer in their community.

The other day, a high school dean and (BIS) behavior intervention specialist received flowers from a parent thanking them for their work in helping them get their daughter into a drug treatment program. Twice this year, our deans and staff have helped grieving students and their parents deal with the tragic death of two of our students. The deans and support staff work daily in assisting students in working through difficult life circumstances.

Do we have students who use drugs and/or alcohol? Yes. Do we have students that try to sell drugs to students in school? Yes.

We know, however, that because of the assets our elementary, junior high school and high school staff provide that most of our students are thriving. I can also assure you that because of the efforts of our deans, support staff, and caring teachers, a number of students who struggle with chemical abuse have received help.

Because of the work of our deans and police liaison officers, students who engage in chemical use during school or who possess drugs in school are arrested, suspended, and, in some cases, expelled from school. We are committed to providing a safe school for all students.

Through working with parents and the community in providing the external assets identified by the Search Institute and by promoting the development on internal assets we are committed to the academic and personal success of each student.

The writer is principal at Forest Lake High School.

Top of Page