Student Support Card

What is the Upper Bucks Student Support Card (UBSSC)?

The Student Support Card, a bi-annual study of teenagers in the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown, PA school districts, does not measure proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics. It does not measure SAT scores or Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores. There are numerous government and educationally run organizations to handle the overwhelming feedback schools receive on “how well” their students are doing.

However, the Upper Bucks Student Support Card is the first and only effectively implemented initiative in the area to measure the quality and quantity of support that young people feel in their lives through the evaluation of 40 crucial, developmental assets. This survey specifically measures the level of social and emotional health that teenagers exhibit, demonstrates how much external support youth feel from their school, family, faith community, other adults and community, as well as their likelihood to engage in healthy or harmful habits when it comes to drug use, crime, sexual intercourse, decision making, self-esteem and more.

Read the full support card overview and more on the 40 Developmental Assets

It also measures internal strengths such as character and personality traits, that compel each student to make positive, healthy decisions. The UBSSC gives each teacher, youth program professional, parent, guardian, neighbor and public official a tool to understand what kinds of support young people need and want to be healthy, thriving and happy individuals in the community. The data contained in the UBSSC is derived from a bi-annual 156-question survey called the “Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors.” Search Institute, a research organization based in Minneapolis, MN, developed the survey instrument and coined the term “Developmental Assets®.”

The UBSSC is not a gauge to judge what is lacking. Rather, it is a strength-based measure to find out what supports do exist, and build upon that foundation. It is, most importantly, an assessment not only of our youth and their perceptions, but also of our communities that comprise Upper Bucks County, PA. It is a clarion call for each of us to get involved in the lives of the youth in our midst. The UBSSC shows that the more assets and supports a young person has, the more likely he/she is to succeed in school, make wise choices in regards to their mental, emotional and physical health and accept the values and beliefs of people from different cultures. Also the more likely they will be able to remain alcohol and drug-free, and be able to practice what are called “refusal skills” when faced with dangerous situations.

Why is this important?

The UBSSC shows the level of Developmental Assets our youth have and the relationship and correlation between asset levels and risk behaviors and thriving behaviors. The UBSSC shows that we all (i.e. parents, extended family, community members, schools, faith community leaders, neighbors, coaches, business leaders, etc.) can impact the levels of assets possessed by youth. For too long, focus has been put upon educational organizations and other professionals to “fix” the problems experienced by many youth. While school districts are being held to increasing challenging academic benchmarks mandated by the state and federal governments, the UBSSC tracks the progress we are making in regards to a young person’s social and emotional health. We know that academic learning increases if a student’s social and emotional life is healthy. Schools cannot do this alone. We all must do our part to ensure that young people are ready for school and are supported in making the right choices. The research is quite clear, and has finally confirmed what we have known all along, KIDS NEED US – ALL OF US.

Reasons to Celebrate in 2010

  • 35 out of 40 asset categories have increased
  • Only 5 asset categories have decreased
  • Of the 22 assets that schools can directly affect, a total of 19 assets have increased
  • The asset categories with the largest percentage were:
    • Parent Involvement (32%),
    • Youth as Resources- (26%),
    • Bonding to School- (23%),
    • High Expectations (21%) and
    • Caring School Climate (19%)
  • Total number of assets possessed by Upper Bucks youth has increased from 17.5 to 19.1- a 9% increase over two years
  • Total percentage of students possessing 20 or more assets has increased from 34% to 43%- a 26% increase over two years
  • Previous 30-Day Alcohol Use among 12th graders has decreased from baseline of 52% to 40% in 2010 – a 23% reduction over two years
  • Previous 30-Day Tobacco Use among 12th graders has decreased from baseline of 33% to 19% in 2010 – a 42% reduction over two years
  • Percentage of 8th graders who engaged in binge drinking* in previous two-week period decreased from baseline of 9% to 6% in 2010- a 33% reduction over two years
  • Previous 30-Day Marijuana Use among 12th graders has decreased from baseline of 29% to 21% in 2010 – a 28% reduction over two years
  • Previous 30-Day Marijuana Use among 8th graders has decreased from baseline of 7% to 3% in 2010 – a 57% reduction over two years
  • A majority of all youth do not regularly (prior 30-day period) drink alcohol, tobacco, or use marijuana- 73%, 88% and 87% respectively.

Reasons to Stay Connected in 2010

  • After years of decreasing percentages of both 8th and 10th graders reporting prior 30-day alcohol use there has been a “leveling off” for both age groups
  • 166 members of the Class of 2010 have driven a car after drinking within the last year- 55 seniors have driven after drinking 3 or more times in the last year
  • 804 members of the Class of 2010 have been a passenger in a car with a driver who has been drinking within the last year- 277 seniors have ridden with an impaired driver 3 or more times in the same period
  • 22 members of the Class of 2010 report using a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them by a doctor
  • The percentage of youth who have had sexual intercourse is 26% (721 youth) and 24% (173 youth) of those youth seldom or never use any contraceptive devices
  • A total of 10% (277 youth) have attempted to kill themselves at least once and 4% (111 youth) have made 2 or more attempts**
  • 13% of all youth (360 youth) report that they have carried a gun or knife to protect themselves during the past year


    *Binge Drinking- Consuming five or more drinks in one sitting in the previous two-week period

    **Prior attempts to commit suicide is the number one risk factor for future attempt