History

For over fifty years, Search Institute has been an innovator in discovering what kids need to succeed in their families, schools, and communities. Here are some major milestones in the organization’s history.

The Strommen Years

  • 1958—Dr. Merton P. Strommen formed what was then known as the Lutheran Youth Research Center, providing research services to several religious denominations.
  • 1960—The first book from the organization was published: What Youth Are Thinking.
  • 1967—The organization was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization called Church Youth Research Center.
  • 1969—The name was changed to Youth Research Center, and the organization began conducting research with youth in many contexts and settings.
  • 1972— A Study of Generations was published, a landmark examination of the beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors of 5,000 Lutherans between ages 15 and 65.
  • 1977—The organization’s name was changed to Search Institute.
  • 1978—Peter L. Benson joined the staff as the research director.

The Benson Years

  • 1985—Peter L. Benson succeeded Merton P. Strommen as president of Search Institute.
  • 1986— Human Sexuality: Values & Choices was published as a comprehensive, values-based sexuality education curriculum for grades six to eight.
  • 1987— The Quicksilver Years: The Hopes and Fears of Young Adolescents, was published, presenting the findings of a landmark Search Institute study on young adolescents and their parents.
  • 1990—Search Institute released a study of six national U.S. Denominations titled Effective Christian Education: A National Study of Protestant Congregations.
  • 1990—The Developmental Assets were introduced in a groundbreaking report titled The Troubled Journey: A Portrait of 6th to 12th-Grade Youth.
  • 1994—_Growing Up Adopted: A Portrait of Adolescents & Their Families_ was published, highlight both the strengths and challenges of adoptive families.
  • 1995—Search Institute launched the national Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth initiative to motivate and equip individuals, families, organizations, and communities to work together to build Developmental Assets.
  • 1997—The first annual Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Conference was convened with 600 people in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • 1997— All Kids Are Our Kids: What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescents, by Peter L. Benson, was published, offering a comprehensive introduction to the theory and strategies of Developmental Assets and asset-building communities.
  • 1998— Developmental Assets: A Synthesis of the Scientific Research on Adolescent Development, by Peter C. Scales and Nancy Leffert, was published, providing the comprehensive literature review that undergirds the Developmental Assets. It was updated in 2004.
  • 2000—Vision Training Associates, an independent organization, was formed to provide Search Institute training services across the country and around the world.
  • 2000— Great Places to Learn: Creating Asset-Building Schools that Help Students Succeed was published (along with training) to launch Search Institute’s intentional support for schools to build assets.
  • 2001— Grading Grown-Ups: American Adults Report on their Real Relationships with Youth, by Peter C. Scales, was published, examining the social norms of adult-youth relationships.
  • 2005—MVParents.com was launched to provide practical guidance to parents based on the Developmental Assets. It was relaunched in 2010 as ParentFurther.com.
  • 2006— The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence“ was published, the most comprehensive overview of scientific research on this critical domain of human development. Eugene C. Roehlkepartain was lead editor.
  • 2006—The Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence at Search Institute was launched.
  • 2008— Sparks: How Parents Can Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers, by Peter L. Benson, was published, introducing the concept of Sparks to the world. Sparks are interests passions that give young people a sense of purpose, energy, and joy in life.
  • 2010—The resources and services of the National Institute on Media and the Family, which closed its doors, were contributed to Search Institute and integrated into its family engagement strategy
  • 2010—Search Institute received a major Investing in Innovation grant from the U. S. Department of Education to replicate and evaluate the high school program, Building Assets, Reducing Risks.
  • 2010—The first and only Big Tent Conference was hosted in Houston, Texas, replacing the annual Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Conference. Search Institute stopped hosting national conferences after this event.
  • 2011—President and Peter L. Benson passed away in October. Eugene C. Roehlkepartain became acting president and CEO.

A New Era

  • Kent Pekel is named the new President and CEO of Search Institute.
  • A new study of Family Assets was released as well as the first multi-country study of Developmental Assets.