Development Assets

The Search Institute created the 40 Developmental Assets which include positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people (www.search-institute.org). The developmental Asset framework is categorized into two groups of twenty assets. External assets are positive experiences young people receive from the world around them. These twenty assets are about supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young people’s time.

External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, and neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development. The twenty internal assets identify those characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people. These assets are about positive values and identities, social competencies and commitment to learning. The Internal Developmental Assets will help these young people make thoughtful and positive choices and be better prepared for situations in life that challenge their inner strength and confidence.

In 2003, the Newport News Office on Children, Youth and Families conducted the Search Institute’s Survey of Student Assets and Resources.  The survey was conducted with a representative sample of 2,065 youth in Newport News Public Schools in the 7th to 12th grade.  The average number of assets in Newport News was 17.  Males had an average of 15.5 assets and females had an average of 18.4 assets present in their lives.

The goal is to have youth who have between 31-40 assets in their lives.  Only 4percent of Newport News youth survey reported between 31-40 assets.  Most youth in Newport News reported having between 11-20 assets (47percent).

Average Number of Assets by Grade in 2003

  • 7th Grade- 18.5
  • 8th Grade- 17.5
  • 9th Grade- 16.6
  • 10th Grade- 16.6
  • 11th Grade- 16.3
  • 12th Grade- 16.2

Research shows that the more assets a child has the less likely they are to engage in negative behaviors and they are also more likely to engage in positive behaviors; such as succeeding in school and maintaining good health.  Youth in Newport News who reported between 31-40 assets were less likely to use alcohol (5 percent), tobacco (1 percent) or marijuana (8 percent) and more likely to get A's and B's (25 percent) in school and maintain a healthy lifestyle (91 percent).

In addition to the 2003 Search Institute Survey, the Newport News Office on Children, Youth and Families in partnership with Newport News Public School and the Newport News Alliance for Youth conducted the Me and My World Survey in the Spring of 2006.  The Me and My World Survey is also developed by the Search Institute and is designed to measure the same 40 Developmental Assets™ in the 4th-6th Grade population.  The survey was conducted with a random sample of over 1,600 students throughout the school division.  The average number of assets in the 4th through 6th grade population was 24.3 with 24 percent reporting between 31-40 assets. 

Average Number of Assets by Grade in 2006

  • 4th Grade- 25.2
  • 5th Grade- 24.7
  • 6th Grade- 21.8

The Me and My World Survey produced also showed that the more assets a child has the more likely they are to avoid negative behaviors and be involved in positive behaviors.  Of the youth with 31-40 assets 77 percent got mostly As and B's on their report card, 94 percent helped friends, neighbors or others on one or more days a week, 95 percent valued diversity, and 76 percent actively used coping skills when faced with a problem.