The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has named 28 public schools, 2 charter schools, and 5 school districts as National Finalists in the 2013 National Schools of Character (NSOC) program.

“These schools are safe places that have developed cultures of respect and trust,” said CEP President Mark Hyatt.  “They show us how an intentional emphasis on character and climate translates into creating the conditions necessary for learning, safety, and success.”

Schools that apply for NSOC recognition benefit from self-assessment as well as the expert feedback they receive at no cost. Once they reach a standard of excellence, a process that may take several years, they are recognized as Schools of Character and asked to help other schools transform their school cultures. Describing the program as a path to school improvement through high-quality character education, CEP has offered the NSOC program to K-12 schools and districts in the U.S. since 1998.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to share the inspirational stories of more school communities doing what’s best for children day in and day out,” said Lara Maupin, NSOC Director. “These are schools where parents feel supported in their most important job – raising good kids.”

The 35 National Finalists were selected from an applicant pool of 131 schools and districts across the United States based on the quality of their written applications. In March and April they will undergo an intensive screening process that will include site visits and analysis of the impact of their character-related efforts on academics, student behavior, and school culture.

The Finalists include 21 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, 4 mixed-grade schools, and 5 districts that include a high school district and a national charter school district. Three of this year’s Finalists are alternative schools. The Finalists represent 16 states, with Missouri having the highest number at 9. Over half of the Finalists have student populations where one-quarter or more qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The 2013 National Schools of Character will be announced in early May. CEP will honor these schools and districts at the 20th National Forum on Character Education, to be held October 24-27, 2013 in Washington, DC. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the NSOC program and the 2013 National Finalists.

The 2013 National Schools of Character Finalists:
Apollo Beach Elementary School, Apollo Beach, FL
Beasley Elementary School, St. Louis, MO
Berlin Community School, Berlin, NJ
Bierbaum Elementary School, St. Louis, MO
Burgess Elementary School, Myrtle Beach, SC
Carmel Elementary School, Woodstock, GA
Cherry Hill Alternative High School, Cherry Hill, NJ
Chesterfield Elementary School, Chesterfield, MO
Cleveland Elementary School, Cleveland, NY
Discovery Ridge Elementary School, O’Fallon, MO
Doby’s Mill Elementary School, Lugoff, SC
Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, NC
Hagemann Elementary School, St. Louis, MO
Hanover Park Regional High School District, East Hanover, NJ
Henry C. Beck Middle School, Cherry Hill, NJ
Imagine School at Town Center, Palm Coast, FL
Imagine Schools, Arlington, VA
Independence Elementary School, St. Charles, MO
James A. McDivitt Elementary School, Old Bridge, NJ
Jefferson City Academic Center, Jefferson City, MO
Kay Granger Elementary School, Keller, TX
LaSalle Springs Middle School, Wildwood, MO
Madison Park Elementary School, Parlin, NJ
Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Waldorf, MD
Mehlville High School, St. Louis, MO
North Pointe Elementary School, Houston, TX
North Star Academy, Parker, CO
Orono Public Schools, Long Lake, MN
Orrville City Schools, Orrville, OH
Quarton Elementary School, Birmingham, MI
Rougher Alternative Academy, Muskogee, OK
Round Top Elementary School, Blythewood, SC
Theunis Dey School, Wayne, NJ
Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills, AL
West Maple Elementary School, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Contact:
Rebecca Sipos
202-296-7743
rsipos@character.org

By Mark Hyatt
President and CEO
Character Education Partnership

As most of you know, in the grim aftermath of December’s horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, President Obama appointed Vice President Biden to oversee an accelerated fact-finding mission on the subjects of gun laws, school safety, access to mental health care, and potential policies or practices that may help schools identify and mitigate unreasonable risks. In early January, I was honored to be invited to the White House to contribute to this important effort and to represent the national character education community in addressing this thorny but vital national security issue.

As a former Air Force fighter pilot squadron commander, I am no stranger to lethal weaponry. But as a former k-12 public school superintendent, I also know how critically important it is for our children to have safe, supportive school environments in which they can learn and grow without fear or intimidation.

With that in mind, this month I have written both Vice President Biden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to ask that, as part of our national response to Newtown, they consider increasing resources to help U.S. schools to develop supportive cultures and character-conscious social climates conducive to trust among staff, faculty and students. It is my deeply held belief that such caring communities—where our young people learn to feel safe, valued and respected—will also create safer schools where communication is so fluid that everyone has the awareness and the courage to take action if and when life/safety threats are perceived.

As a combat-ready veteran, I have come to realize that heroism and honor are by no means confined to the battlefield. On the contrary, I have probably seen just as many examples since I left the military as I had in my 29 years wearing the uniform. Today, I feel just as inspired looking at the selfless and compassionate efforts of parents, teachers, administrators and even volunteers who serve this great nation by laboring with little fanfare to educate a next generation that will make America proud.

However, even though the State of our Union remains strong, it is still troubled and future generations are still at risk. With this in mind, I know that the U.S. Department of Education will continue to advocate for programs which contribute to healthy school climate such as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). And certainly that is a good thing. But I have also urged the White House to consider a broader array of evidenced-based and time-proven methods for improving school culture, climate and character education. As the oft-quoted African proverb so eloquently observes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” At Character Education Partnership, we, too, believe that there are many ways to achieve the same goals. One size does not fit all.

For this reason, I have strongly recommended that the Dept. of Education relax its funding guidelines and allow schools and communities to choose from a wide menu of character-building techniques and social and emotional learning methods that may serve the common good equally as well, or often even better, than PBIS alone. In fact, CEP already is working to develop integrated approaches for a variety of situations that incorporate aspects from PBIS with those most compatible from our ‘11 Principles of Character Education’.

For now, as we await definitive next steps from the White House and Congress, take heart and be encouraged by the simple fact that Character Education Partnership is an integral part of this long-overdue national conversation. Hopefully, the dialogue will stay open—and civil—this spring and for the foreseeable future. And I pray that the results, when they do come, will be a blessing to all of us. As history insists on repeatedly and sometimes brutally teaching us, tragedy often leads to opportunity. May we seize this chance to forge actual progress from the crucible of Newtown.

45 Schools and 5 School Districts Recognized for Excellence in Character Education

Washington, DC – February 1, 2013 . . . Fifteen states have named 50 schools and districts State Schools of Character for 2013. Thirty states participated in the State Schools of Character program administered by the Character Education Partnership (CEP). Being named a State School of Character is a preliminary step to being recognized as a National School of Character by CEP.

Learn more about these schools and districts.

“These schools have created extremely positive school cultures where students and teachers feel safe and connected to each other in order to ensure the greatest learning environment possible,” said Lara Maupin, CEP’s National Schools of Character Director. “By focusing on relationships and what matters most in education, these schools have created the ideal conditions for learning and the students are thriving and growing into future leaders.”

Each year, CEP’s state affiliates select schools and districts that demonstrate, through a rigorous evaluation process, that their focus on character development has had a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Selected schools are then named State Schools of Character and forwarded to CEP for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character.

State and National Schools of Character are expected to serve as models for other schools, by helping them to achieve the same results. State sponsors will recognize their applicants and winners in state-level awards ceremonies. CEP will announce finalists for the national award by March 1 and national winners in early May.

Character Education Partnership is a national advocate and leader for the character education movement. Based in Washington, DC, we are a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of organizations and individuals committed to fostering effective character education in our nation’s schools. We provide the vision, leadership and resources for school, families and communities to develop ethical citizens committed to building a just and caring world. For more information about State and National Schools of Character and how schools can improve through high-quality character education, visit www.character.org.

by Mark Hyatt

Dear CEP Family—
 
On behalf of the entire CEP staff and Board of Directors, I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and New Year.

Like most of America in these uncharacteristically somber days, we at CEP are filled with great sadness as the K-12 community from coast to coast goes takes its winter break and bids farewell to 2012. We are sad because we know that too many young people are still suffering in our society, due to many factors, not the least of which is violence in schools and surrounding neighborhoods.

Earlier this month, in the wake of the monstrous tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, “Our schools should and must be one of the safest places in society. Now is the time for another, ‘quieter heroism’ in our schools—the courage to move forward, to continue to teach and lead children, and to take smart precautions to minimize the risk of future tragedies.”

We share this commitment to press onward with both courage and character. In 2013, CEP will take up this cause with hope and renewed purpose to help more families, schools and communities surround our young people with life-affirming experiences, role models and media that encourage them to be their best “selves”.

With every gray hair or wrinkle discovered, we veterans of this cause are reminded daily that our world today is a young person’s world.  We want to leave behind less prejudice and bullying, more caring and compassion, young adults who are nurturing role models and encouragers in every way for future generations. Since our inception, CEP’s aim has been to help mold young people who know what is right and do it habitually. That way, others will know that they can be counted on to do the right thing, even when the pressure is on and real courage is required.
 
In the New Year and beyond, CEP is absolutely committed to helping all of you to create this kind of nurturing environment in your home, school, community, on sports teams and in other extra-curricular organizations. All can be—and should be—excellent incubators for the kind of good social, emotional, character development that our young people deserve.

With that goal in mind, we pledge to work with you, our nation’s schools, teachers, parents, administrators, CEP state affiliates, local school boards, state and federal agencies, corporate America and beyond—anyone who supports our cause—to reshape the world for the better. We will continue to lead this national call to character and we ask that you help us spread that message far and wide in 2013. Abraham Lincoln famously asked us to call upon “the better angels of our nature.” Well, now we call upon you to help us in this necessary and noble mission in the useful service our children.

All the best.
Mark Hyatt, President, CEP

Richard Stockton Elementary School of Cherry Hill NJ, a CEP National School of Character, joined forces with other CEP schools around the country to help aid the victims of Super Storm Sandy