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The Discovery Program was designed
in 1990 by Eric Larsen, an alternative high school teacher in Poudre School District in
Fort Collins, Colorado. The program was implemented to teach positive social skills to
students struggling with academic, attendance, and attitude problems. The curriculum
includes sophisticated social skills, management strategies, culture development, and
experiential activities. The objectives
of the program are threefold:
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to
develop a strong sense of community and a support system for all students |
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to
teach, practice, and give feedback on specific positive social skills |
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to
reinforce the culture of the classroom/school and ensure that all students realize what is
expected of them and what they can expect from the staff |
The Discovery Program is a concrete,
skill-based curriculum that has the power to create positive change in students. Through
Discovery, students learn and master the positive social skills necessary to be successful
in school and in life. It is designed to improve student achievement for anyone who wants
to be more effective. It works especially well for students considered at risk but the
power of the program enhances the academic and personal accomplishments of those currently
in traditional classes.
The Discovery Program helps school districts
work through problems with apathy, violence, academic achievement, and attendance.
"…they
come in like dried up weeds, six weeks later they flower and bloom."
Bill
Lamperes, Principal, Centennial High School, Fort Collins, Colorado
"…our
attendance rate with Discovery was 90% or better, and in this day and age, that’s
almost unheard of."
Harold
Clayton Ford, Teacher, Beecher High School, Flint, Michigan |
