After-School Initiative's Toolkit for Evaluating

Toolkit for Evaluating Positive Youth Development 26
Positive Core Values
Some of the most important traits after-school programs nurture in youth relate to the instillment of positive values such as caring,
empathy, integrity, honesty, responsibility, equality and fairness. These are the values most often taught in many of the large national youthserving
organizations such as the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H and Boys and Girls Clubs.
Helpful hint: Although positive core values in the field of youth development are considered to be important, the inclusion of this
outcome domain in this toolkit is unusual because many of these values are often referred to as “traits” or “character” and are considered
by many to be predominantly developed through the first years of life. Moreover, youth and adults alike tend to believe (or at least report)
that they care about people, tell the truth and stand up for what they believe. Very few will self-report to not upholding these values. This is
not to say that these values are unchangeable or that after-school programs do not influence these values, but programs without significant
interventions in these areas may find little success at changing them in a measurable way. Thus, NRC encourages programs to use these
questions but consider wisely the population served and decide if the program offers “enough” intervention to warrant a noticeable change.
ASI requirement: If the positive core values domain is selected, questions a, b, c and d are required for basic-level programs.
All questions are required if a program considers its participants more advanced.
Positive Core Values
Because I came to [this program]…
YES KIND OF NOT REALLY
a. I care more about other people ...................................................... ...................... .............................
b. I care more about the feelings of other people.......................... ...................... .............................
c. I am better at standing up for what I believe............................. ...................... .............................
d. I tell the truth more often even when it is hard ......................... ...................... .............................
e. I am better at taking responsibility for my actions .................. ...................... .............................
f. I am more interested in community and world
problems ............................................................................................... ...................... .............................
g. I am better at speaking up for people who have
been treated unfairly.......................................................................... ...................... .............................
Indicates this question is appropriate for older or more advanced youth.