Origins

The Successful Learner Trait Framework is the result of listening to the experiences of both students and classroom teachers and is founded on a broad base of research.

The Successful Learner Trait Framework is the result of listening to the experiences of classroom teachers when asked: “What traits, attributes, or characteristics do your students demonstrate that seem to most significantly contribute to learning success?”

This was a broad-based survey, conducted out of the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Independent of student age or geographical area, teachers consistently identified very similar characteristics, or traits, which they felt most greatly contributed to student success. From a synthesis of teachers perceptions regarding student success, the eight Successful Learner Traits emerged.  

Over the next several years, the Successful Learner Trait Framework was implemented in many classrooms and schools. Rich collaborations with teachers resulted in further shaping and honing the use of the Framework with students, from kindergarten and up, and within a variety of learning settings.

Currently, teachers recognize the tight alignment between the framework and new curricula that includes competency-based education. Both teachers and students experience Successful Learner Traits to be highly accessible and intrinsically-based.