The students become skilled at developing their own projects, gathering necessary resources and materials, and making well planned presentations. Discipline problems significantly reduce. Students previously identified as having serious behavior problems show rapid improvement in social skills typically during the first six weeks of school. By mid-year, they are often making important contributions to their groups. And by year's end, they occasionally assume positive leadership roles at the centers.
All students develop and apply new skills.
In the fall, most students typically describe only one center as their favorite. By mid-year, most identify three to four favorite centers. By year's end, nearly every student identifies at least six centers as favorites. Moreover, they all make multi-modal presentations of their independent projects that include songs, skits, visuals, poems, games, surveys, puzzles, and group participation activities, the skills they are developing at the seven centers. Cooperative learning skills improve in all students.