The Schools of Character program has provided hundreds of schools with a framework and professional feedback that has improved their school culture and climate. In a more supportive environment, students thrive and schools see increased academic achievement and decreased behavioral issues. Every school can and should become a school of character. Apply to join the network by completing an application, open through December 1.
Some of the info you will provide in the application:
- A narrative of your character story: your history and areas of improvement
- Your school’s implementation of the 11 Principles
- Visual evidence (e.g., artifacts) of your character initiatives
- Academic, behavioral, and climate data
- Testimonials of stakeholders
The 11 Principles of Effective Character Education are as follows:
- The school community promotes core ethical and performance values as the foundation of good character.
- The school defines “character” comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and doing.
- The school uses a comprehensive, intentional, and proactive approach to character development.
- The school creates a caring community.
- The school provides students with opportunities for moral action.
- The school offers a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners, develops their character, and helps them to succeed.
- The school fosters students’ self-motivation.
- The school staff is an ethical learning community that shares responsibility for character education and adheres to the same core values that guide the students.
- The school fosters shared leadership and long-range support of the character education initiative.
- The school engages families and community members as partners in the character-building effort.
- The school regularly assesses its culture and climate, the functioning of its staff as character educators, and the extent to which its students manifest good character.
For more information visit http://character.org/schools-of-character/preparing-to-apply/
