Communities of Excellence

Communities of ExcellenceLiving the 8 Keys

Changing the lives of students everywhere

Communities of Excellence – Living the 8 Keys

is a yearlong comprehensive character-development program

for students and educators

that focuses on principles that support excellence

in individuals and in the community.

The 8 Keys of Excellence

Integrity, Failure Leads to Success, Speak with Good Purpose,

This Is It!, Commitment, Ownership, Flexibility, Balance

Program

Engaging yearlong curriculum that connects to students (Elementary/Junior and Senior versions)

Website with valuable information and guidelines including: video training, scripted lessons that feature Quantum Learning delivery strategies, learning activities, daily quotes, student journals, 8 Keys Growth Gauge, message board for teachers to share ideas, and much more

Key ring and 8 KeyCards for every student

8 Keys poster and The 8 Keys of Excellence book for each classroom

“How to Create Meaningful 8 Keys Personal Stories” for teachers and invited community leaders

Program Highlights

8 KeyCards and Poster

Program Website

Home PageProgram Overview, PowerPoints8 Keys of ExcellenceHow to Get InvolvedNews, Videos

Teacher (password protected)How-to support, Videos, Online trainingIntroductory Lesson, 8 Keys LessonsAll About (each Key)Quotes of the dayJournals, 8 Keys Growth GaugeMessage Board for sharing ideas

Student (teacher/CoE managed)Blog, Videos, PhotosNews, StoriesKey of the Month

Partners (password protected) News, ebooks, Defining Excellence

www.CommunitiesOfExcellence.org

Program Timeline

August / September – Start of program

• Three-hour online workshop to educate teachers on the impact of the 8 Keys of Excellence and to provide guidelines for implementation of the program in their classrooms (video from training by a lead Quantum Learning facilitator at the QLN Conference Center in Oceanside, California)

• Introductory lesson for teachers use in launching the program with their students. Includes an overview of the Communities of Excellence program and value of the 8 Keys of Excellence.

Program Timeline (continued)

September to April – Teachers focus on one Key per month

• Initial Key Lesson includes a Key Story, definition/description, activity, journal page, 8 Keys Growth Gauge, and giving students KeyCards.

• Teachers integrate the Key into their curriculum and reinforce the principle throughout the month.

• A host of additional suggestions are included such as 8 Keys announcements, skits in assemblies, 8 Keys awards, and inviting community leaders to share Personal Key Stories with students.

May – Reinforcement and celebration event

(CoE School Surveys are completed at start of program, mid-year and end of year)

Create a socially aware, capable, responsible, and caring community of young people

Inspire and empower students to make positive choices and become productive members of society

Unite educators, local businesses, organizations, government officials, and parents in support of our students

Goals and Outcomes

“On the 26-hour flight over …my train of thought took me to thoughts about responsibility … and the 8 Keys.”

1st Lt. Brian J. Seidl, from Iraq(learned 8 Keys at SuperCamp when in high school)

Long-lasting Impact

Thousands of schools are using the 8 Keys of Excellence with remarkable results through Quantum Learning programs.

The 8 Keys of Excellence are licensed to Learning Forum International by Quantum Learning Network for use in the Communities of Excellence – Living the 8 Keys program.

Implementation in Schools

Documented Results

Alamo Heights Independent School DistrictSan Antonio, Texas

“I would say unequivocally, teachers, community members, and students are very excited about the implementation of the 8 Keys of Excellence. The effort has had a very positive impact on morale, behavior and character education efforts at the elementary schools. Many teachers and parents continue to let me know how the language of the Keys is evident, not only throughout the school, but throughout the community as well."

—Dan St. Romain, teacher and consultant

O’Plaine Intermediate School (grades 3-5) Gurnee, Illinois

• Results tracked: continuing drops in zero-tolerance behavior: 6% first year, 12% second year, and 19% third year. (Note: zero-tolerance behaviors are severe types of negative behavior that warrant a “trip to the Principal’s office.”)

• Statistically significant: common language affected the entire process of school behaviors

—8 Keys of Excellence implemented by co-principals

Doug Schultze and Dr. Jenny Severson over a three-year period

Documented Results

Thornton Township High School DistrictSouth Holland, Illinois

• Following a 22-day summer school program focused on the 8 Keys of Excellence, a 1998 study of ninth graders performing below grade level showed a 37% reduction in absenteeism, 66% reported better behavior, and 60% followed class rules more often.

Documented Results

Note: Student population 2,047; 37% low income, 83% African-American, 13% Caucasian, 4% other

Possible Funding Sources

CoE is easy to fundThe Communities of Excellence program is easily scalable

andreplicable with an affordable cost of $10 per student per

year.

Your school can secure funding from several sources

• Individual donations• School budget• PTA fund-raising • Parents pay • Corporate “Adopt a School” donations

(download donation form at website)• Foundation grants

(download Grant Request template at website)

Communities of ExcellenceLiving the 8 Keys

Learning Forum International (LFI) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit educational corporation, based in Oceanside, California, since 1989.

LFI’s mission is Making Great Kids Greater. We achieve this by supporting student and educator programs that contribute to the mastery of learning and life skills by today’s youth, leading to their academic and personal success.

Learning Forum International 760-305-7317Bobbi DePorter, President www.learningforum.org

www.communitiesofexcellence.org

Bobbi DePorter Quantum Learning Network, President

Joe ChaponQuantum Learning Network, Vice President & Secretary/Treasurer

Denise DeMan-Williams Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Bench International

Steve Curtis Insight Consulting, Partner

Steven Snyder BestQuest Teaching Systems, Partner

Tom Holmquist BAE Systems, Director of Accounting

Board of DirectorsLearning Forum International