Character Education is a national movement creating schools that foster ethical, responsible, and
caring young people by modeling and teaching good character through an emphasis on universal
values that we all share. It is the INTENTIONAL, PROACTIVE effort by schools, districts, and states to
instill in their students important core, ethical values such as respect for self and others, responsibility, integrity, and self-discipline. It is not a “quick fix” or silver-bullet cure-all. It provides long-term solutions that address moral, ethical, and academic issues that are of growing concern about our society and the safety of our schools. Character education may address such critical concerns as student absenteeism, discipline problems, drug abuse, gang violence, teen pregnancy and poor academic performance. At its best, character education integrates positive values into every aspect of the school day.
Character education...
• is taught through modeling, climate, and curriculum.
• comes from the HOME, COMMUNITY and the SCHOOLS.
• is a proactive way of adapting and using existing educational materials to promote
understanding and inspire the development of good character traits among all students in
every part of their learning experience.
• is learning how to make good decisions and choices.
• is learning about positive relationships and their development based upon our development
and depth of character.
• is grounded in RELATIONSHIPS and school culture.
• is a PROCESS, not just a program.
• at its best, is comprehensive school reform.
• is informed by research, theory and most importantly, teacher and student involvement.
• is bringing out the BEST in ALL OF US—students and teachers.
CHARACTER EDUCATION INFORMATIONAL HANDBOOK & GUIDE
