Character Education

Whether it’s due to the increase of school violence or the disrespect they face in the classroom, the reports from teachers across the country are grim. Many teachers are turning to character education to turn their students around in hopes of bringing back values and a climate of respect.

School systems across the country are weaving character education into lesson plans and many are having great results. Many schools with strong character education programs report a 25% reduction in discipline problems since their programs started. "What the result is," says Character Education Director Paul Weimer, "is that there is more opportunity to teach and to learn."

Teacher Nancy Zarovsky makes a point of bringing character education into every lesson plan. She rewards students who display good character traits, like justice, honor and integrity with special buttons. "What we’re hoping is by making this prevalent in our curriculum, by infusing it in our curriculum and by mentioning these words again and again," says Zarovsky. "that our students will hear this, internalize, and in turn do these things automatically."

Teachers want kids to put character into practice. Seventeen year-old Mike says character education gives kids the chance to prove that they have character and that they will do the right thing. Thirteen year-old Maceo says that doing the right thing comes naturally when parents teach values at home. "Most of my lessons of character and respect and all that," says Maceo, "I leaned at home from my mom and dad."

Whether the lessons come from home or school, most educators and parents hope schools across the country will make character education a priority. "Students come out the other end, not only with a better education in the subject areas," says Weimer. "But they are better citizens."

Principles Of Effective Character Eduction

The following list has been adapted from information provided by The Character Education Partnership to help families, schools and communities develop character in our nation’s youth.

• Character education promotes core ethical values as the basis of good character.
• Effective character education requires an intentional proactive and comprehensive approach that promotes core values in all phases of school life. In the school setting, lessons on values should rest entirely on academic curriculum not in short "word of the week" type lessons.
• A child’s school and home must be a caring community.
• To develop character students need opportunities for moral action.
• Parents and students must adhere to the same moral code as children. School policies and rules must incorporate the character traits the school and community wants to transmit.
• Effective character education includes a meaningful and challenging academic program that respects all learning and helps kids succeed.