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Welcome to the Character Education Resource Area, a new addition to our Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Web site. The materials presented here were compiled by Peter Stachecki in his former capacity as Safe School Coordinator for Northport High School. The position of the Safe School Coordinator was created in response to a new law in New York, commonly called Project S.A.V.E. (Safe Schools Against Violence in Education). This law was developed in the aftermath of the horrible killings at Columbine High School in Colorado. The new law, found in Chapters 180, 181, and 182 of the New York Law of 2000, seeks to address the threat of school violence in a proactive way. While the S.A.V.E. law has many provisions, classroom teachers and administrators should take note of the “Character Education” mandate found in this new law. Specifically, the S.A.V.E. laws requires that “the course of instruction in grades kindergarten through twelve includes a component in civility, citizenship and character education. Such component shall instruct students on the principles of honesty, tolerance, personal responsibility, respect for others, observance of laws and rules, courtesy, dignity, and other traits which will enhance the quality of their experiences in, and contributions to, the community.” Other areas of S.A.V.E. law cover such topics as “Teacher Removal” of disruptive students, Codes of Conduct, violent incident reporting, and school safety plans.

The purpose of this portion of our Web site is to provide educators with resources to assist them in meeting the challenge of this “new” Character Education requirement. One could observe that as teachers we instruct our students in the principles of Character Education in all we do. It is our professionalism, leadership, and care and concern for our students that demonstrates “good character” every day. To this extent, it is important to realize that “Character Education” is as much about who we are as educators, as it is teachers, leaders, community members, and active citizens provides invaluable lessons in Character Education. A simple awareness and conscious effort to model the best aspects of citizenship in all of our interactions with students, colleagues, parents, and community members is part of being an educator. Character Education is not something new. It is part of everything we do. It was once observed that Character Education is not “something new” which we have added to the “plate” of education, rather Character Education is the plate.

The resources that follow will assist educators in the development of their own Character Education strategies. Please feel free to e-mail additional suggestions of materials or resources to add to this portion of our Web site. Our goal is to provide easy access to a wide range of Character Education resources and materials. (top)
 

   
  100 Ways to Promote Character Education — This resource provides 100 suggestions of different methods or activities to promote Character Education in your school. (top)
   
  Alternative Dispute Resolution — An important part of helping students build character is affording them an understanding of the appropriate avenues to resolve conflict. Conflict is an inevitable part of life. Knowing the appropriate frameworks and models available to assist in resolving conflict without destructive behavior is an important area of Character development. This resource explains various models of dispute resolution that can be adapted to a school setting.(top)
   
  Character Education Mission Statement — Adapted from the "Chicago Model", this document provides an excellent overview of the goals and mission of a Character Education program. This can be of great assistance in understanding the goals and objectives of Character Education. Additionally, these materials can be helpful in facilitating discussion of your school's own Character Education goals and objectives. These materials could be easily used or adapted to create your own "Mission Statement" or to help clarify goals and objectives with your community.(top)
 
  Character Education Sample Lessons — Adapted from a guide issued by the National Association of School Principals, this 94 page document provides numerous lesson plans and creative ideas for activities which will enrich your Character Education efforts.(top)
   
  Character Education Standards — Nine page document first provides an excellent overview of the objectives of Character Education. It also provides an enumerated outline of 11 Principles of Character Education. (top)
   
  Notes on Character Education — Compiled from a variety of sources, this document supplies information on the "Why and Why Not of Character Education," quotations on Character Education, methods of implementation, essential questions to ask about Character Education programs, quotes from critics of Character Education, and additional standards from the International Center on Character Education. (top)
   
  Character Education Organizations & Resource Materials — This document provides an extensive list of National Character Education organizations and also provides a bibliography of resources to assist in development of a Character Education program. (top)
   
  Implementation Plan for Character Education at the High School Level — This document outlines a strategy to implement a Character Education program at the High School level.(top)
   
  Peer Mediation — Allowing students to utilize peers as part of a conflict resolution program is highly effective. Training student mediators and instilling confidence in the student body that Peer Mediation is a viable and effective way to resolve conflict presents many challenges. This document offers insight into starting a Peer Mediation program in a school setting. An overview, goals, resources required, and start-up procedures are all outlines. (top)
   
 

Making Ethical Decisions: The Six Pillars of Character Education — This 15-page document provides an excellent summary of the "Six Pillars of Character Education." These include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. It also includes information on the "Making of an Ethical Decision," the process of Ethical Decision Making, different models of Ethical Decision Making, the 5 Steps of Principled Reasoning, and common rationalizations used to explain "unethical" conduct. (top

   
  Writing Children's Literature to Promote Themes of Tolerance — Targeted towards an elementary audience, or older students who are involved in Peer Teaching, this document suggests a strategy for writing and designing Children's Literature that is non-sexist and promotes themes of tolerance. (top)
   
  Project S.A.V.E., Common Questions and Answers — The new S.A.V.E. Law has raised may questions among educators as to the meaning, impact, and requirements of man of the law's provisions. This 19 page document provides a comprehensive summary of common questions related to S.A.V.E., consice answers, a good overview of S.A.V.E., and lists organizations that can be contacted for further assistance. (top)
   
  Random Acts of Kindness — Encouraging students to engage in "Random Acts of Kindness" is a fun activity that will help students feel good about themselves while helping others. This document is simply a reproduction of "cards" developed by the Northport High School Conflict Managers as part of a school wide effort to promote random acts of kindness. These cards can be reproduced to use in your own "Random Acts of Kindness Program." (top)