Personal and Social Competency – A. Positive Personal & Cultural Identity Competency Profile
PERSONAL & SOCIAL COMPETENCY
A. Positive Personal & Cultural Identity Competency Profile
A positive personal and cultural identity is the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of all the facets that contribute to a healthy sense of oneself. It includes awareness and understanding of one’s family background, heritage(s), language(s), beliefs, and perspectives in a pluralistic society. Students who have a positive personal and cultural identity value their personal and cultural narratives, and understand how these shape their identity. Supported by a sense of self-worth, self-awareness, and positive identity, students become confident individuals who take satisfaction in who they are, and what they can do to contribute to their own well-being and to the well-being of their family, community, and society.
Development of positive social and cultural identity begins within families, before students enter formal schooling, and is expanded and enhanced at every level of life and schooling.
The following three facets are interwoven and interrelated with each other, and with other competencies:
1. Relationships and Cultural Contexts
Students understand that their relationships and cultural contexts help to shape who they are. (“Culture” is meant in its broadest sense, including identifiers such as ethnicity, nationality, language, ability, sex/gender, age, geographic region, sexuality, and religion.) Students define themselves in terms of their relationship to others and their relationship to the world (people and place) around them.
For example: “I” Statements:
- I can describe my family & community.
- I am able to identify the different groups that I belong to.
- I understand that my identity is made up of many interconnected aspects (such as life experiences, family history, heritage, peer groups).
- I understand that learning is continuous and my concept of self and identity will continue to evolve.
2. Personal Values and Choices
Students define what they value. They understand how what they value has been influenced by their life experiences. Students identify ways in which what they value helps to shape their choices in all contexts of their lives.
For example: “I” Statements:
- I can tell what is important to me.
- I can explain what my values are and how they affect choices I make.
- I can tell how some important aspects of my life have influenced my values.
- I understand how my values shape my choices.
3. Personal Strengths & Abilities
Students acknowledge their strengths and abilities, and explicitly consider these as assets that can help them in all aspects of their lives. Students understand that they are unique and are a part of larger communities. They explain how they are using their strengths and abilities in their families, their relationships, and their communities.
For example: “I” Statements:
- I can identify my individual characteristics.
- I can describe or express my attributes, characteristics, and skills.
- I can reflect on my strengths and identify my potential as a leader in my community.
- I understand I will continue to develop new abilities and strengths to help me meet new challenges.