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.