Developmental Assets: SOS programs promote healthy developmental assets, proven to be essential for school performance, success, and life satisfaction (read more about Assets from Search Associates).
Bonnie Benard’s Resiliency Research (’91): “Importance of peer relationships in social development; importance of social support to positive outcomes, failure of adult society to provide social capital for youth; gives every youth the opportunity to help; satisfies basic human psychological needs; develops collaboration/conflict resolution skills; promotes acceptance and respect for diversity; promotes academic achievement; reduces alcohol and drug use among youth” (see Center for Educational Research and Development).
Delaine Eastin, Former California Superintendent of Public Education (’96): “Another avenue for developing positive youth leadership is peer resource programs, in which students are given ongoing opportunities to be resources to each other. Programs such as peer tutoring, cooperative learning, cross-age tutoring, peer helping, and peer mediation provide opportunities for young people to connect, to develop skills to promote positive change, and to feel a sense of pride as they learn that they can make a difference in the real world.”
SOS is a proven solution with over a decade of excellence:
1991 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Emmy Award
Outstanding Achievement: Children/Youth-Special
1993 Exemplary Recognition Kent Award – San Mateo Co. School Board Ass.
1993 & 1997 Palo Alto Youth Service Award
1996 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Commendations:
“The instructional staff’s development and implementation of innovative programs which support students success and connection to school. These programs include: the Freshman House. . . Freshman Transition, Service Learning, Students Offering Support (SOS)….”
1997 Certificate of Achievement – San Mateo County Office of Education
HIV/AIDS Prevention Peer Educator Program
1998 CA Department of Education 1997/98 Coordinated Compliance Review :
“Woodside High School receives high marks for outstanding prevention education…such as Students Offering Support (SOS)…outstanding prevention education campaigns and conflict mediation. The 9th grade orientation program and the 8th grade shadowing all contribute to a supportive, healthy learning atmosphere noted by one of the youth. This exemplary program serves as a model for others.”
2000 Children Now, California Report Card 2000 How Young People Are Faring Today:
“An evaluation of the SOS program at Woodside found that the program promotes positive social and racial relations, and that the freshmen are significantly less likely to fee that their classmates disrupt class, allowing for a more positive learning experience for both students and teachers.”
2002 National Schools of Character Promising Practices Award
“Your practice will serve as a model for others across the country to replicate and integrate into their character education initiatives.”
Research:
In recognition of the S.O.S. Program and its role in promoting positive school climate and harmonious intergroup relations, Woodside High School was selected to participate in research projects by two prestigious institutions:
1997-1999 Carnegie Corporation of N.Y. in collaboration with Social Policy Research Institute of Menlo Park
1998 Stanford Center on Adolescence – A Conflict Mediation Assessment by Sten Swanston supervised by Elizabeth Cauffman, Ph.D.
In addition, a three-year program dissemination evaluation was conducted as part of a Peninsula Community Foundation grant.
1998-2001 Dissemination Evaluation of Peer-based Student Support Programs inthe Sequoia Union High School District by Julie Carver Cardillo, M.P.A. and SFSU Professor, Rene Fukuhara Dahl, Ph.D.
Results of these studies are available upon request. Contact us.
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Please also read About SOS for biographies of the founders and recent trainings.
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Rene Fukuhara Dahl, Ph.D. and Julie Carver Cardillo, M.P.A., CSU, San Francisco program evaluators
“Peer leaders believe that they have gained useful life skills and greater maturity, as well as a stronger sense of belonging and service to their school community. They also feel that they are making their schools stronger by helping and educating their peers. And virtually all of the peer leaders feel well supported by their program coordinators.”
Student Peer Leader
“The most powerful and influential experience I’ve had came when I joined Students Offering Support. I couldn’t believe that I had found something that I loved doing and could be really good at that also helped others. It has changed my view of my abilities and my future, and made me determined that, no matter what I do, I will find ways to work with others.”
Andrew Wiegand, Social Policy Research Associates
(Comments of a three year study comparing WHS students to six high schools throughout California)
“Programs such as the Freshman Transition program, which affect all of the incoming students and are not one time interventions, contribute to a more positive school climate both in terms of social relations generally and inter-group relations… WHS students after going through the FT program, end up with more positive views about the school and tend to feel more comfortable interacting with people of different backgrounds, races, ethnicities…”
Margaret Marshall, Program Director, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
“With so much emphasis in the state and nation on raising academic performance it is extremely important for schools to also be concerned with the social development and emotional well being of their students. The Freshman Transition Program is a proven way to get new students started in a positive way and for older students to be responsible for the climate that is created.”
Barbara Varenhorst, Ph.D., Founder of Palo Alto Peer Counseling Program
“…under the leadership of Sharon Yoerg and Maureen Campbell, the peer helping program has a proven superior track record. What they have developed in terms of curriculum and service activities is exemplary.”
High School Principal, Woodside High School
“Students are provided with a sense of security, peer connections, and a safe environment to explore teen issues. The SOS program definitely contributes to the calm atmosphere and mutual respect that exist on the campus.”
High School Parent
“Very high on our priority list should be teaching our teens the skills which will make them happy, productive adults. Imagine a world where many of the adults have learned conflict resolution, intervention techniques, organizational and presentation skills. These skills are very helpful in marriage, raising children, or interfacing with employees in a work environment.” |