Developing Social Capital in Schools

This article discusses how change in our economy after mid 20th century made the acquisition of social capital an important factor in school succes and future life functioning. Because traditional education was not using a relationship and development based approach, groups without adequate mainstream social capital were not faring well in school. The article describes how the Yale School Development Program engaged the students, parents and staff of two of the lowest performing New Haven, Connecticut schools in a process that used child and adolescent development and public health principles; intentionally creating a school environment that promoted social capital that facilitated school success and potential for life success. It describes the source of the conceptual understanding for this approach; the social policy obstacles, and a way that a strong community based approach that supports social capital acquisition could have a positive ripple effect in the nation.