What are the assets?
What are the assets?
• • • • •Assets are either internal or external.
“External assets” are what we hope are provided by the family, school, and community. “Internal assets” are what we hope are within every young person. The 20 external assets and 20 internal assets are shown below, adapted for this Web site with permission from Search Institute. Click here to see short definitions for each of these assets.
Support:
1. Family support
2. Positive family communication
3. Other adult relationships
4. Caring neighborhood/community
5. Caring school climate
6. Parent involvement in school
Empowerment:
7. Community values youth
8. Youth given useful roles
9. Youth volunteers in the community
10. Safety
Boundaries and expectations:
11. Family boundaries
12. School boundaries
13. Neighborhood/Community boundaries
14. Adult role models
15. Positive peer influence
16. High expectations
Constructive use of time:
17. Creative and cultural activities
18. Youth programs
19. Religious community
20. Time at homeCommitment to learning:
21. Achievement motivation
22. School engagement
23. Homework
24. Bonding to school
25. Reading for pleasure
Positive values:
26. Caring
27. Equality and social justice
28. Integrity
29. Honesty
30. Responsibility
31. Restraint
Social skills:
32. Planning and decision-making
33. Interpersonal skills
34. Cultural competence
35. Resistance skills
36. Peaceful conflict resolution
Positive identity:
37. Personal power
38. Self-esteem
39. Sense of purpose
40. Positive view of personal future
Click here to see short definitions for each of these assets.
That’s it! You can see that these are not new or radical ideas. They are common sense. However, as an Elder in Galena said, “Common sense is not so common anymore.” With changes in our families and society over the last few generations, we must focus on ways to give kids what they need. Asset building doesn’t happen as naturally as it once did.
Assets Home Page
Assets Framework Page
The Assets project is sponsored by the Association of Alaska School Boards and Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health.
This Web site sponsored by The Alaska Transition Initiative, with services from the Special Education Service Agency.
