Civility Development Inc. 

Founding Principles

We recognize in a complex urban environment, some students are at-risk for deficient performance in school, being distracted and misdirected by peer influences, being seized by substance abuse, behavior and emotional challenges or uncivil behavior in the school or the community.  

Therefore, it is the intent of CDI to develop and share strategies, tools and tactics to support both students and parents, to help the community in gaining an increase in civilized behavior.   

Together as a community, we can deliver a full range of educational experiences focused on Reading, Self Esteem, Social Emotional, College/Career & Civility Resources with a dedicated team so true learning and growth is accomplished.

With our three-fold approach-RESCue, SOaR, and COCAP programs targeting all scholar demographics, with a focus on minorities that endure opportunity gaps more often than their counterparts, we develop strategies to address life-long goals. 

RESCue:

Reading, Self Esteem, & Civility Motivation.

CDI recognizes that reading is tied to self esteem development Both areas are necessary and  important for overall academic development.  This approach is substantiated through research in critical pedagogy.  The  main task of critical pedagogy outlined by Freire is to engage scholars and awaken their understanding through reflection, dialogue, and actions that inspire the ideals of democracy, social advocacy and social justice.  This approach builds motivation for scholars to genuinely improve academic goals and skills, which begins with reading.   RESCue is offered to help students build civility, perform positively and meet the academic requirements to successfully transition to the next grade level. 

CDI does not subscribe  to any one  pedagogical approach; instead, we take pride in having a  variety of  research-based and culturally-sensitive  strategies.   Among the strategies to prevent and intervene with learning as well as to accelerate student learning.  We support and include the following:  

• Culturally Relevant Curricula

• Response to  Intervention 

• Science of Reading

• Multiple Intelligences

• Differentiated Instruction 

• Critical Pedagogy 

• Positive Behavior Supports

• Project-Based Learning

• Balanced Literacy

• Literacy & Cultural Awareness

• Technology Integration

SOaR:

Social Emotional Resources.

Social media and adolescents force scholars to wrestle with self-identity, self-esteem and sometimes a fragmented sense of self, personal values, goals, and social roles.   Some scholars endure stressful family situations, ambiguity in caring  adult  relationships, a  sense of independence, and a need for acceptance and belonging.  CDI offers a safe-haven in the community for support and mentoring relationships.

During CDI SOaR programming scholars have opportunities to use problem solving, questioning, collaborative and explorative skills to enhance decision making skills in both academic and social settings with peers and adults.

Scholars perceived as compliant and motivated with strong academic ability receive  positive feedback  from society. Scholars perceived as intransigent and indolent with possibly weak academic ability recieve and internalize negative feedback from society.  

This occurs more often than not to minority scholars.  In addition, these scholars also deal with societal biases and negative statements which further exacerbate a lowered self-esteem. CDI recognizes it is imperative that scholars have tools to support their esteem and emotions.

COCAP:

College & Career Preparation. 

The community offers great opportunities with small  businesses for students to witness and  participate in real-life work and learning experiences.  The COCAP aspect of CDI matches scholars to colleges and careers connected to their interest.  CDI helps students find strength in themselves and in each other to stand for what is  good and moral.  We encourage them to become agents of  change, and we give them  the  hope,  the skills, the knowledge, and the critical capacity necessary  to become  transformative leaders of tomorrow.