Life Ready Learning: Our Focus Area

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Youth

R.I.S.E's signature youth education program, is a social emotional learning curriculum which gives students the skills to navigate life and prevent bullying and substance abuse.

20% of US students ages 12-18 report being bullied.

1 in 3 students said they had been the victim of cyberbullying, and 1 in 5 reported skipping school due to cyberbullying or violence as expressed in a study of students across 30 countries.

2 in 3 students said they are worried about violence in and around schools in a poll of 1 million young people from 160 countries conducted by UNICEF.

More than 1/3 of students have experienced bullying. More than 1/3 have been involved in physical fights.

Statistics from National Crime Victimization Survey and UNICEF

• Students who participate in SEL showed improved classroom behavior, reduced rates of stress and depression, and improved attitudes towards their school, their peers, and their own self-image. SEL programs like R.I.S.E increased students’ academic performance by up to 11 percent.
• Effects of SEL programs like R.I.S.E are long lasting. Kindergarteners who participate in SEL programs and have stronger SEL skills are more likely to graduate high school, go to college/university, and obtain stable employment as young adults.
• Including SEL and character development is critical for educating the whole child. This approach can help bridge the achievement gap between students from high- and low-income settings and improve economic mobility for disadvantaged students.

Statistics from Child Development, American Journal of Public Health, and Opportunity, Responsibility, and Security

• Schools with positive school climate practices like R.I.S.E have lower rates of bullying and absenteeism. Students in schools with positive school climate practices were more motivated to learn and had higher achievement scores over both the short and long term.
• Bullying in schools harms all students – not just those immediately impacted. A study of student achievement scores across 30 countries found a direct correlation between bullying and student reading scores.
• Research from Harvard University found that students participating in program like R.I.S.E reported significantly improved perception of the school climate as a whole, and improved perceptions of physical and emotional safely.

Statistics from UNICEF and Review of Educational Research

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) recently published the results of a survey of top employers outlining the skills desired in new college graduates. Likewise, the World Economic Forum identified the top skills needed for the jobs of the future. The most necessary and desired skills are not related to any STEM field or technical proficiency. Instead, they are competencies directly related to the social and emotional skills built by R.I.S.E.

• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Critical thinking and creativity
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Communications skills with people inside and outside an organization
• Leadership and the ability to effectively motivate others
• Strong work ethic and resilience.