Mass media exposes our children to many patent examples of violence, disrespect, irresponsibility, lack of compassion, and dishonesty.  These disturbing images and influences depict and further contribute to the decline of moral and ethnical values in our world.  There is an urgent need for schools to play a vital role in deliberately and consistently teaching students positive character virtues and in aligning the efforts of parents/family members and others collectively in this endeavor.   To this end, two CS Partners schools, Charyl Stockwell Academy, and Kensington Woods High School, as well as Grand Traverse Academy have joined forces to plan, design, and test a unique character education curriculum.   Distinctive features include:

• Use of a scientifically-based philosophical framework;
• Emphasis on the key character traits of getting along, kindness, optimism, respect, responsibility, and work ethic.
• Teaching students social protocols and classroom/school procedures that demonstrate/integrate the character traits in everyday operation of the school.
• Full integration of character education instruction within the American History curriculum including alignment with Michigan Core Content Standards and Benchmarks through a well defined K-12 scope and sequence of character education instruction;
• Development of operating policies and procedures for students in the classroom and school;
• Support for teachers and school administrators in establishing a caring and respectful classroom and school environments;
• Utilization of “real” school/classroom issues to assist students in learning, practicing, and applying the elements of character; and
• Inclusion of student/parent activities through which parents learn and support their child’s development of targeted character traits.

 The project, Smart Character Choices, has engaged Dr. Matt Burns from the University of Minnesota to employ a quasi-experimental research project, which utilizes the three collaborating schools and three carefully matched comparison schools to measure the effectiveness of the character education program.  The outcome goal of this project is to:  Develop, test, and refine an effective character education program that embeds character education into the fabric of the school (the instructional program, school, and classroom operating policies and procedures, professional development, student/staff interaction, and parent involvement).

Program Outline