Clifton StrengthsFinder and Student Strengths Development

Michelle C. Louis, Ph.D.
Bethel University

The integration of a strengths perspective into increasingly diverse types of educational environments
and practices demands concomitant research that explores the effectiveness of these efforts and informs future practice. An overview of the development of the Clifton StrengthsFinder is presented, followed by a comprehensive review of research that explores the nature and impact of efforts to promote student strengths development within secondary and postsecondary education. This review
concludes with a series of suggestions for future research on strengths-based initiatives.