CEP is committed to being your ears, eyes and voice regarding the latest character education news in our nation’s capital. Here are some highlights from this exciting month in DC:
- CEP Senior Administrator Megan Jones attended a virtual briefing led by Jon Terry of Capitol Youth Strategies about the implications of the recent election on conditions for learning in US schools. The biggest take-away from this briefing was that the best strategy for funding will be to tap into existing programs by showing that schools who intentionally focus on Character Education perform better academically.
- Jon Terry also led an exciting breakout session at the 2012 National Forum on Character Education, entitled “Federal Policy and Character Education: Update and Discussion.” Attendees were encouraged to hear that the Director of the Office of Safe and Healthy Students feels character education is an important initiative, and learned how best to advocate for an increased focus on school climate issues.
- The Office of School Turnaround launched a new “School Climate and Culture” group as part of their online “School Turnaround Learning Community.” (Link to http://www.schoolturnaroundsupport.org/group/school-climate-and-culture)
- The Conditions for Learning Coalition is hosting a series of Congressional Briefings in the next year, entitled “Achieving Academic Excellence by Improving Conditions for Learning.” They will take place once a month from February through June, focusing on topics ranging from Social-Emotional Learning to bullying and dating violence.
