Character Education
Informational
Handbook & Guide
“Character
education is not something new to add to your plate. It is the
plate!” - Superintendent John Walko (NY school)
What is character
education?
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.
“Effective character education
is not adding a program or set of programs to a school. Rather it is
a transformation of the culture and life of the
school.”
-Dr. Marvin Berkowitz
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