A Measurement Model of Student Character as Described by the Positive Action Program

Abstract

This article measures a model of student character as defined by the Positive Action (PA) program, that posits that students’ characters are based on their behaviors and how they feel about themselves when they engage in those behaviors. The program consists of a teacher-led curriculum of 9 units and components that represent different aspects of student character (physical, intellectual, social, and emotional). Using structural equation modeling, we constructed a measurement model of the behavior and feeling domains and the 9 units and components as described by the PA theory. The model was a good fit and a replication sample produced similar results. The results supported that the set of constructs that describe student character, as described in PA’s theory, could be measured and distinguished from each other.