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Personal Success Factors

“This school year, as part of supporting the ‘Whole Child’ in Denver Public Schools (DPS), a top priority in Denver Plan 2020, 10 DPS schools are piloting ‘Personal Success Factors’ — an effort focused on developing a student’s grit and self-control for challenges they face both in school, and in life. Personal Success Factors are indicators of academic and career success, and are tightly linked to a student’s personal skills and strengths.

The Personal Success Factors Pilot is a year-long program designed to support schools and teachers as they determine how to name, teach, honor, recognize, celebrate and give feedback on personal success factors with students, while building a deep understanding of the personal success factors for students, teachers and communities.”

DPS Culture and Equity Leadership Team

Personal Success Factors

Curiosity

  • Eager to explore new things
  • Asks questions to learn more
  • Takes an active interest in learning

Gratitude

  • Recognizes other people’s efforts
  • Shows appreciation for opportunities
  • Says thank you or does nice things for people

Grit/Perseverance

  • Finishes projects even when feeling like quitting
  • Sticks with a project or activity
  • Stays committed to goals, even after experiencing failure

Optimism

  • Believes that effort would improve the situation
  • Stays motivated, even when things didn’t go well
  • Believes in possibility of improvement

Self-Control

School Work                                                   

  • Comes to class prepared
  • Remembers and follows directions
  • Gets to work right away instead of waiting until the last minute
  • Pays attention and resists distractions

Interpersonal 

  • Remains calm even when criticized or otherwise provoked
  • Allows others to speak without interrupting
  • Is polite to adults and peers

Social Intelligence/Relationships

  • Able to find solutions during conflicts with others
  • Cares for other’s  feelings
  • Adapts to different social situations

Zest/Joy

  • Actively participates
  • Shows enthusiasm
  • Approaches new situations with excitement and energy.