40 Developmental Assets^TM

The asset definitions shown in this chart are based on research on adolescents (6th to 12th grades). In addition, Search Institute has blended the literature on child development with the framework of assets for adolescents to identify parallel, developmentally appropriate sets of assets for

Asset Type	Asset Name & Definition
EXTERNAL ASSETS
Support	Family support	Family life provides high levels of love and support.
	Positive family communication	Pre-teen and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and Pre-teen is willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s).
	Other adult relationships	Pre-teen receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
	Caring neighborhood	Pre-teen experiences caring neighbors.
	Caring school climate	School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
	Parent involvement in schooling	Parent(s) are actively involved in helping Pre-teen succeed in school.
Empowerment	Community values youth	Pre-teen perceives that adults in the community value youth.
	Youth as resources	Young people are given useful roles in the community.
	Service to others	Pre-teen serves in the community one hour or more per week.
	Safety	Pre-teen feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood.
Boundaries and Expectations	Family boundaries	Family has clear rules and consequences, and monitors the Pre-teen's whereabouts.
	School boundaries	School provides clear rules and consequences.
	Neighborhood boundaries	Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people's behavior.
	Adult role models	Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
	Positive peer influence	Pre-teen's best friends model responsible behavior.
	High expectations	Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the Pre-teen to do well.
Constructive Use  of Time	Creative activities	Pre-teen spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
	Youth programs	Pre-teen spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in community organizations.
	Religious community	Pre-teen spends one hour or more per week in activities in a religious institution.
	Time at home	Pre-teen is out with friends "with nothing special to do" two or fewer nights per week.
INTERNAL ASSETS
Commitment to Learning	Achievement motivation	Pre-teen is motivated to do well in school.
	School engagement	Pre-teen is actively engaged in learning.
	Homework	Pre-teen reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.
	Bonding to school	Pre-teen cares about her or his school.
	Reading for pleasure	Pre-teen reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
Positive Values	Caring	Pre-teen places high value on helping other people.
	Equality and social justice	Pre-teen places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
	Integrity	Pre-teen acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.
	Honesty	Pre-teen "tells the truth even when it is not easy."
	Responsibility	Pre-teen accepts and takes personal responsibility.
	Restraint	Pre-teen believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.
Social Competencies	Planning and decision making	Pre-teen knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
	Interpersonal competence	Pre-teen has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.
	Cultural competence	Pre-teen has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
	Resistance skills	Pre-teen can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
	Peaceful conflict resolution	Pre-teen seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.
Positive Identity	Personal power	Pre-teen feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me."
	Self-esteem	Pre-teen reports having a high self-esteem.
	Sense of purpose	Pre-teen reports that "my life has a purpose."
	Positive view of personal future	Pre-teen is optimistic about her or his personal future.
This list is an educational tool. It is not intended to be nor is it appropriate as a scientific measure of the developmental assets of individuals. Copyright © 2000 by Search Institute. All rights reserved. This chart may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial use only (with this copyright line). No other use is permitted without prior permission from Search Institute, 615 First Avenue N.E., Suite 125, Minneapolis, MN 55413; 800-888-7828. See Search Institute's