Mission Statement
To improve the lives of boys by providing resources and programs for parents, teachers, mentors and organizations committed to helping with their learning and development as they journey to manhood.

Vision Statement
To lead a national conversation about boys and share the most extensive collection of resources related to their education and development.

Who Do We Serve?
The center exists for the benefit of all who desire to learn more about educating and raising boys and the journey from boyhood to manhood, regardless of their location or calling.

What Do We Do?

• Collect, curate, and synthesize existing research on boys that has already been undertaken beyond the center.
• Observe and analyze trends, identify needs, and recommend best practices for those working with boys.
• Produce and distribute print and digital content about different aspects of boys’ development and learning. These reports will have practical application for educators, counselors, parents, and others who work with boys.
• Sponsor free events, featuring guest speakers in the field of raising and educating boys.
• Host annual conferences, open to the public regarding topics related to the development, life, learning, and raising of boys.
• Publish editorials or articles about boys in national publications or media outlets.
• Conduct original research by utilizing McCallie as a lab school and gather data from other partnering institutions.
• Host fellows, researchers, and educators to discuss and share their research and ideas about boys and to develop additional areas for future research.

The Problem

The founders of the NCDB believe that in America today, too many boys are uninspired, disconnected, and confused. They find school irrelevant and boring, and they are underperforming.  When compared to girls, boys are:

• lagging far behind in reading and literacy;
  
• more often diagnosed with learning disabilities and learning difficulties;
  
• falling behind in grades and test scores throughout the U.S and the industrial world;
  
• more frequently disciplined and placed in the criminal justice system;
  
• outpaced in college degrees and employment opportunities in many sectors;
  
• suffering under-motivation, lack of maturation, and increasing mental illness;
  
• underperforming in crucial family, community, and social roles;
  
• opting out of leadership opportunities, and losing themselves in unhealthy lifestyles.
  

The trajectories of too many boys are troubling for our society.

Call to Action

The NCDB believes that we can do a better job raising and educating boys. We believe boys are most likely to thrive when:

• their parents, teachers, counselors, and others understand and appreciate their developmental and learning needs;
  
• their schools know how boys learn and how to teach them;
  
• they are closely connected to adults who serve as inspiring and effective role models and mentors; and
  
• they have wise guidance as they seek their calling within their respective communities.

In this context, the NCDB strives to lead a national conversation on the development of boys.  The NCDB is a forum for a national audience of practitioners to meet, to collaborate, to share ideas and research, and to develop practical applications for raising and educating healthy boys.  Visit us at www.understandingboys.org.