"Effective schools seek to develop and reinforce character traits, such as caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness, through a systematic approach that includes adult modeling, curriculum integration, a positive school climate, and access to comprehensive guidance and counseling services."
—Elementary Makes the Grade! (CDE, 1999)
The California Department of Education advocates incorporating character education into a standards-based educational system in a variety of ways.
California Education Code Section 233.5 (a)
233.5 (a) Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality, truth, justice, patriotism, and a true comprehension of the rights, duties, and dignity of American citizenship, and the meaning of equality and human dignity, including the promotion of harmonious relations, kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures, to teach them to avoid idleness, profanity, and falsehood, and to instruct them in manners and morals and the principles of a free government.
Resources
- Annotated Bibliography
- Bonner Center for Character Education
- Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character
- Character Counts
- Character Education Partnership
- CharacterPlus
- Good Character
- Judicious Discipline
- LESSON ONE
- School for Ethical Education
- University of San Diego Character Development Center
- What Works Clearinghouse
- WiseSkills Character Education
Classroom Materials
The following have been identified as character education classroom materials:
- Character-Based Literacy Program
- Character Counts
- Film Clips for Character Education
- Giraffe Heroes Project
- Good Character
- Head, Heart and Hands (H3)
- Judicious Discipline
- Lessons in Character
- LESSON ONE
- PeaceBuilders
Funding
U.S. Department of Education's Partnerships in Character Education Program
Archived information on grants for character education programs.
Character Education Partnership (CEP) National Schools of Character Awards
Every year, CEP names ten public and private schools and districts as National Schools of Character for their outstanding work in improving the behavior and learning of their students through character education. Once selected, CEP helps these schools and districts serve as models for other educators.
