Summary
The Character Effect, offered by Beech Acres Parenting Center, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL. It includes programming for Pre-K-6 and demonstrated evidence of effectiveness at grades 3-5.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Pre-K, Elementary (K-5)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home
Cost
For additional information please contact the provider
# Lessons
For additional information please contact the provider
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
Online curriculum
Staffing Requirements
For additional information please contact the provider
Professional Development
Onsite In-Person, Virtual
Outcomes
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Evidence of Effectiveness
Results from a quasi-experimental evaluation conducted in the 2018-2019 academic year (unpublished report written in 2021) supported the effectiveness of The Character Effect for elementary students. This evaluation included 365 students in grades 3-5 in a suburban school district in the U.S. Midwest region (68% white, 11% Hispanic/Latinx; 69% of student body eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL) at participating schools). This evaluation found that grade 3 through grade 5 students receiving instruction using The Character Effect showed significantly greater growth in district standardized science test scores compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported approximately 39 weeks after baseline, while controlling for outcome pre-test). Additionally, grade 4 and 5 students receiving instruction using The Character Effect program showed significantly greater growth in state standardized mathematics and reading test scores compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported approximately 52 weeks after baseline, while controlling for outcome pre-test and relevant demographic covariates).
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Flaspohler, P., Kerr, A., Meyer, A., Dinnen, H.,& Wargen, K. (2021). The Character Effect evaluation report. Unpublished.