Character Playbook, Powered By EVERFI And Presented By The NFL And United Way, Reaches 88,000 Students In First Year

Program Expands with New Virtual Classroom Experience in all 32 NFL Markets and Addition of 360 Schools

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Sep 13, 2017, 09:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Character Playbook^TM, a digital character education program powered by digital learning innovator EVERFI, Inc. and presented by the NFL and United Way, has helped 88,000 middle school students in nearly 30 states learn how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships in its first year.

Building off this success, the program will expand to 360 more schools and introduce a new virtual classroom experience called Character Playbook LIVE. These interactive events, hosted by NFL teams and United Ways beginning in Week 2 of the regular season, will engage more students in the important conversation of why character matters. NFL players will host live events with their local United Way. For the second year, Verizon will sponsor an additional 220 schools in 11 select markets.

Data compiled by EVERFI during the program's first year indicates that approximately 1,300 teachers helped students complete more than 170,000 hours of learning, which led to increased understanding of key social-emotional topics—a 41 percent increase based on pre- and post-assessment scores.

By the end of the program's first year:

74 percent of students were more likely to believe they deserve to be treated with respect
70 percent raised their expectations about how to treat others
69 percent said the program helped them identify actions they can take to treat people with respect
66 percent better defined the role they can play in resolving conflict

"We are pleased with the positive strides Character Playbook has made on students' understanding of these critical topics and look forward to expanding its impact," said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. "Character Playbook is a program for all students, athletes and non-athletes alike, and addresses values we prioritize as a league. EVERFI and United Way, our nonprofit partner for over 40 years, have been instrumental throughout this process and understand the importance of educating students on these issues in an accessible and interactive way."

The data around social-emotional learning indicates a growing need in classrooms. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning found that students who participated in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs saw an 11 percentile point gain in achievement in social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior and academic performance. Character Playbook is addressing these issues head on and supporting students in building the skills they need to be successful contributors to their communities through improved communication skills, recognizing positive and negative influences, managing their emotions, resolving conflicts and stepping up for one another.

"I was extremely fortunate because I had two parents who, from an early age, instilled in me the importance, not only of education, but also strong values and high character," said Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver LARRY FITZGERALD. "The more exposure I've had to successful and high-achieving people in all walks of life, I've found that those traits are consistent among them. What makes this program so valuable is that it lays the foundation early and provides kids the skills and understanding to develop these qualities that, not only benefit them individually, but also the communities they live in. "

"Good character is a critical building block of strong individuals and strong communities," said President and CEO of United Way Worldwide BRIAN GALLAGHER. "By helping young people develop and recognize healthy relationships, Character Playbook is providing our next generation with the tools to succeed. It's another great example of how the NFL and United Way are combining the love of team with a deep commitment to community to make a difference."

Student Testimonial:

"I never thought a program could help me with my social life outside and inside the house. Because I'm a person that gets mad over a little thing. This program helps me learn how to calm myself down with breathing and stuff like that. And I also learned that you have to have the right amount of people that can help build you up instead of tearing you down....this program helped me through a lot of problems."

Donald, 8th grader, Brick Avon Academy, NJ

Teacher Testimonial:

"Thanks to Character Playbook, my students learned how to interact with others in a mature and healthy manner, a manner that extends respect to the people they meet."

California teacher

About United Way Worldwide:
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.8 million volunteers, 9.8 million donors worldwide, and more than $4.7 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit. We're engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.

About The NFL Foundation:
The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football and the communities that support our game. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: NFLFoundation.org.

About EVERFI, Inc.:
EVERFI, Inc. is the leading education technology company that provides learners of all ages education for the real world, through innovative and scalable digital learning. Founded in 2008, EVERFI is fueled by its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model and has certified over 16 million learners in critical skill areas. Some of America's leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EVERFI investors including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Twitter founder Evan Williams, TPG Growth, The Rise Fund, Advance Publications, and Rethink Education, and Rethink Impact. The EVERFI Education Network powers more than 4,200 partners in their education initiatives across all 50 states and Canada. Learn more at EVERFI.com.

Media Contacts:

Monique Waters, EVERFI, [email protected]

Ana Blinder, NFL, [email protected]

Southerlyn Reisig, United Way Worldwide, [email protected]

SOURCE EverFi