By Megan Jones
CEP is committed to being your ears, eyes and voice regarding the latest character education news in our nation’s capital. Here is the latest from Washington:
CEP’s President & CEO Mark Hyatt met last week with Vice Presidential aides and US Department of Education staff members, along with several other key stakeholders, as they sought to prevent violence in schools like December’s shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The administration requested follow-up meetings, which resulted in a recommendation for $50 million in grant funding for developing safe and nurturing school climates!
- The 16 winners of the Race to the Top: Districts competition were announced in December. These grant recipients are required to set performance measures for ‘health and social-emotional indicators’ of student development.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing before the holidays which focused on the link between school discipline and the incarceration of young people. Many in our field feel that the Justice Department seems to see the pragmatic benefit of developing ethical citizens, as it is much more effective to reach children proactively than it is to rehabilitate some of them later on.
- CEP will hold a briefing for Congressional staff in July about the link between character education and academic achievement. Please send any suggestions or concerns you would like us to raise to mjones@character.org.
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