How Second Step® Programs Align to Character Education

Supporting character education without starting over

For districts with existing character education priorities, adopting Second Step^® curricula doesn’t have to mean creating an entirely separate system.

Second Step programs can provide the foundation that helps schools put those priorities into practice, with lessons and resources designed to fit into the realities of classroom instruction.

That’s especially relevant for districts that are responding to state character education requirements or looking for stronger alignment between their character goals and day-to-day instruction.

Building the foundation for character development

Second Step programs translate character expectations into everyday practice by providing practical instruction built for real classrooms, grounded in how educators teach and students learn.

Through evidence-based, developmentally appropriate lessons and reinforcement, students strengthen human skills that support positive interactions, thoughtful choices, and productive participation in their school communities.

Students learn how to:

• Understand and manage emotions
• Build healthy relationships
• Develop empathy and perspective-taking skills
• Solve problems constructively
• Make thoughtful, responsible decisions
• Strengthen self-confidence and perseverance

These skills support the qualities districts emphasize as part of character education initiatives, including integrity, citizenship, compassion, fairness, gratitude, responsibility, and respect.

Supporting character across the school years

Character development is not one-size-fits-all. What students need in order to practice changes as they grow, which is why a strong approach should evolve with them.

Second Step programs provide a continuum of instruction across developmental stages, giving educators tools to address the increasingly complex challenges students encounter as they move from early learning through high school.

For younger students, that can mean learning to recognize emotions, manage impulses, cooperate with others, and develop empathy.

As students grow, instruction can build toward navigating relationships, managing increasingly complex emotions, solving interpersonal problems, making responsible decisions, and developing the self-management and perseverance needed to meet goals.

This progression gives schools a consistent way to support character development as students grow and their needs become more complex.

The connection between character strengths and human skills

Second Step programs can also support the different dimensions of character that schools seek to develop.

Here’s what that connection can look like in practice:

• Character strength → Supporting skill
• Respect → Social awareness
• Responsibility → Self-management
• Integrity → Responsible decision-making
• Compassion → Empathy and relationship skills
• Courage → Self-awareness and self-confidence

Evidence that reaches beyond the lesson

Second Step programs are grounded in research and have been evaluated through independent studies, including research conducted by WestEd. Across independent studies representing more than 25,000 students, Second Step^® Elementary and Second Step^® Middle School digital programs have demonstrated outcomes like improved school climate, increased prosocial behaviors, reduced disciplinary referrals and suspensions, and stronger academic and school engagement outcomes.

In one WestEd study involving more than 10,000 elementary students in a large, diverse North Carolina school district, students who received the Second Step Elementary digital program with sufficient fidelity showed significant improvements in self-management skills and a meaningful reduction in out-of-school suspensions.

Another independent WestEd study followed 4,903 middle school students over two years. Students who received Second Step Middle School reported better teacher-student relationships, greater school belonging, and improved perceptions of overall school climate. They also had increased attendance, improved ELA performance, and substantial reductions in behavioral infractions.

Together, these findings show how the benefits of intentional instruction can extend beyond the lesson itself. Stronger skills can contribute to healthier relationships, more positive school experiences, and behaviors that support the kind of school community districts want to build.

Character development is built into the school experience

Across grade levels, Second Step programs give educators practical opportunities to reinforce character development through the everyday situations students encounter, from managing conflict and navigating relationships to making responsible choices and working toward goals.

With evidence-based programs designed for real classrooms, Second Step programs give districts a tangible way to make character development a core part of the school experience.

How can you support your district’s character education goals?

Explore our evidence-based districtwide solution or request a demo to see how Second Step programs can provide Human Skills^™ instruction and support character development across your schools.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming post where we’ll take a closer look at how Second Step programs support Texas districts in meeting state character education requirements, with a real-world example of character education in action.

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