About Touchstones' School Programs
Since its inception in 1984, Touchstones has grown by leaps and bounds, attracting interest from schools throughout the nation and abroad. The program is implemented in public, private, and parochial schools, as well as in home school environments and after-school programs. The need for Touchstones is recognized in suburban, rural, and inner-city communities.
In a Touchstones Discussion, students of all academic abilities improve skills that help them succeed in school, work, and life. As students progress through the Touchstones program, their new skills carry over into other classes and the classroom environment changes dramatically – students build respect for one another as they become aware that all members of the group have valuable strengths and skills to contribute. Touchstones discussions often fill the perceived gap between schoolwork and everyday life as students recognize the relevance of their education to the world around them.
All students benefit from Touchstones Discussions – no student is overlooked or left behind. At-risk students show increased maturity, self-esteem, and academic engagement. High-achieving students demonstrate a new respect for others’ opinions and increased thoughtfulness. Some students discover hidden talents and abilities; and teachers and students alike benefit from the sense of community that results from working together.
International Programs in Schools
 In Jordan, the Ministry of Education has adopted a Touchstones curriculum in Arabic for all students in grades 6-10. This program, known as MaHakkaat at-Tafkir (The Touchstones Way of Thinking), has been funded by The Institute for Intercultural Studies, The Appleby Foundation, the Sheik M A Shami Foundation for Human Services, private donors in the U.S. and Jordan, and the Touchstones Discussion Project. This program reaches more than 8,500 teachers, more than 500,000 students, and it continues to grow each academic year. Touchstones works closely with Ministry officials and relies heavily on long-time volunteer Graham Leonard, Ph.D, whose unfaltering dedication lies at the heart of this project’s success.
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