When teachers and other adults are enthusiastic, when they care for their stu-dents and have a passion for their subjects, and when they are competent professionals, students learn more and enjoy the process. Conversely, when teachers are poorly trained or dispirited about their work, students disengage and their achievement declines. Contribution Children and youth thrive when they can make a real and valued contribution to their world at home, at school, and in their own communities. When children play a vital role in family activities, school activities, community service, and community boards and projects, they learn that they too are important and competent. They learn how to exercise leader-ship and give back to their community.
Students learn to apply knowledge they have acquired in other settings.
This adds a relevant realism to their studies. Finally, students who contribute begin to develop habits of heart and mind that they can carry into adulthood as lifelong learners and community members. The learning process is a continuous one. During the pre-school years, children need an educational system supporting the development of their readiness to learn. Once in the K-12 system, they need smooth and articulated transitions from year to year especially from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school or when they must move and change schools.