Caring School Community

Caring School Community is a comprehensive, research-based social and emotional learning program that builds school-wide community, develops students’ social skills, and enables a transformative stance on discipline. This program promotes positive behavior through direct teaching of responsibility, empathy, and cooperation, creating settings where students feel heard, known, and cared for. Students grades K-8 become intrinsically motivated to contribute productively to a community they feel invested in, and where they know they matter.

This program is approved for WV Expanded School Mental Health.



Last reviewed: 2023

Intended Outcomes:

Caring School Community (CSC), formerly called Child Development Project, is a family- and school-based multi-year intervention that is designed to prevent substance use, violence and delinquency and promote positive youth development, prosocial behavior, academic performance, and a school-wide feeling of community.

Continuum of Care:
Universal Prevention

Topic Areas:
Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Disruptive Behaviors, Substance Use

Ages:
Childhood (4-12), Teen/Adolescent (13-18)

Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban

Delivery Settings:
School-Based

Cultural Considerations:
Significant and well-articulated attention was given to disparities in outcomes

Audience:
This program is for students who are in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Credentials:
This program is implemented by classroom teachers.

Manuals:
Yes

Is Training Required?
No

Who can provide the required training?
Although there is no specific training for CSC, there are multiple professional learning opportunities that are embedded within the program. Click here for more professional learning information.

Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website

Program/Practice Website:
https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:

Center For Collaborative Classrooms (n.d) Evidence from the Field: An impact study of Collaborative Classroom curriculum implementation and professional learning. 8-9. Retrieved from https://public.cdn.ccclearningportal.org/wp/MKT-4288_Evidence_from_Field_Book_WEB_Final.pdf

Solomon, Daniel H., Marilyn S. Watson, Kevin L. Delucchi, Eric Schaps, and Victor Battistich. 1988. “Enhancing Children’s Prosocial Behavior in the Classroom.” American Educational Research Association 24(4):527–54.

Muñoz, M. A., & Vanderhaar, J. E. (2006). Literacy-embedded character education in a large urban district: Effect of the child development project on elementary school students and teachers. Journal of Research in Character Education, 4(1-2), 47-64.

Additional Sources:

https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/programs/caring-school-community/

Supported By Research

WV Rating:
Supported by Research
»WV Ratings Info

Rationale for Rating:

In research studies where Caring School Community (CSC) had high quality implementation as a universal prevention program for classroom implementation, the control groups demonstrated good outcomes in grades K-8. Our review yielded more recent research studies than referenced in other national databases.

Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified

Other Registries/Ratings

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Unclear +

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Promising - More than one study

Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Found on the registry. See link for more information.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy Registry Link:
http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/BenefitCost/Program/377