Welcome to The Shadow Project, helping kids with special needs reach their potential.

All professionals surveyed said they would recommend The Shadow Project to a colleague.
(Investigating the Effects of The Shadow Project, PSU Study, June 2004)

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It's Official: The Shadow Project Works!

In June 2004, two teams of graduate students in the Special Education Program in the School of Education at Portland State University completed a six-month study entitled "Investigating the Effects of the Shadow Project." Many of the researchers are themselves special education teachers.

According to the study, teachers who participate in The Shadow Project have found that the program bolsters academic achievement and lowers behavior problems. Specifically,

  • 88.9% of participating teachers reported improved quality of work
  • 100% reported improved motivation and social skills
  • 66.7% reported greater homework completion
  • 44.4% reported lower absenteeism

    Other Positive Results
    In addition, 100 percent of school administrators responding strongly agreed that The Shadow Project is an effective incentive program with positive effect on students and that the foundation is organized and consistent.

    All the paraprofessionals responding to the study questionnaire rated The Shadow Project as an effective incentive program with a positive effect on students. Specific positive effects included:

  • increased quality of work
  • improved behavior
  • enhanced social interactions amongst peers
  • increased on-task behavior
  • increased motivation

    The Power of Giving
    The study also found that the program helped students to think about others. The report quoted one teacher as being "amazed" by student thoughtfulness when they were given the opportunity to "buy" gifts for parents, siblings and grandparents, while another noted that The Shadow Project "empowered the students to do something out of appreciation."

    Researchers: Linda Edington, Janelle Hendrickson, Laura Jackson, Teresa Nikkila, Jessie Hawkins, John Telemanich, Mary Sturgill, Mark Drohosky

    Advisors: Helen Young and Suzanne Simon

    • The Shadow Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.