Character Matters in Transforming Teaching and Learning

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Character Matters in Transforming Teaching and
Learning
http//ssnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/CharacterEduca
tion

• Fay Gore, Section Chief, K-12 Social Studies
• Nakisha Floyd, Abstinence Education Consultant,
  NC Healthy Schools

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Why Character Matters

• Great learning and superior abilities will be of
  little value...unless virtue, truth and integrity
  are added to them.
• Abigail Adams
• "Intelligence plus character - that is the goal
  of true education"Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Effective character education is not adding a
  program or set of programs to a school. Rather
  it is a transformation of the culture and life of
  the school.
• Dr. Marvin Berkowitz

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World in Crisis

• Lance Armstrong Doping Chargers
• Jerry Sandusky Penn State scandal
• Sandy Hook other victims of gun violence
• Corrupt Politicians
• Wall Street greed
• Reality TV
• Bullying
• Drug alcohol abuse

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Student Preparation

• College
• Career
• Civic Life

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Character Education is the Plate!
Common Core
Accountability
Evaluations
Parent Community Involvement
Essential Standards
Discipline
Legislation
Student Performance
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What is Character Education?

• Character education is the deliberate effort to
  help people understand, care about, and act upon
  core ethical values.
• Intentional and comprehensive
• Integrated throughout every aspect of the school
  day
• Provides long-term solutions to address moral,
  ethical, and academic issues i.e. absenteeism,
  teen pregnancy, gang violence, drug abuse, poor
  academic performance

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Benefits of Character Education

• Brings Schools and Communities together
• Improving school and classroom climate
• Creating safer (Safe Drug Free) and more caring
  schools
• Closing the achievement gap
• Academic achievement for all
• Academic integrity
• Professional ethics
• Health and physical education
• Service to others
• Community building and commitment

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How can we begin to restore a culture of
character, leadership, service in schools?

• Use a framework for changing school culture
• Legislation
• The 3 cs Community, Climate, Curriculum
• Character Education Partnerships 11 Principles
• Provide students the opportunity to lead and
  serve
• NCDPI
• Guilford County Schools
• Cotswold Elementary
• National Youth Leadership Council

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• STUDENT CITIZEN ACT OF 2001
• In the fall of 2001, the North Carolina State
  Legislature passed the Student Citizen Act of
  2001 (SL 2001-363).
• This Act requires every local board of education
  to develop and implement character education
  instruction with input from the local community.
• With the passage of this Act, the state of North
  Carolina has affirmed that the development of
  character in our children is the cornerstone of
  education.

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Character Education

• Character Traits (from legislation)
• Courage
• Good judgment
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Perseverance
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Self-discipline

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Character Education

• Other elements
• 1. Respect for school personnelholding teachers,
  administrators, and all school
• personnel in high esteem and demonstrating in
  words and deeds that all school personnel
• deserve to be treated with courtesy and proper
  deference.
• 2. Responsibility for school safetyhelping to
  create a harmonious school atmosphere
• that is free from threats, weapons, and violent
  or disruptive behavior cultivating an orderly
• learning environment in which students and school
  personnel feel safe and secure and
• encouraging the resolution of conflicts and
  disagreements through peaceful means including
• peer mediation.

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What Do Successful NC State Schools Of Character
Have?
Commitment
Commitment
Commitment
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The Model

• Community refers to the process of building
  consensus and sustaining community involvement in
  the shared responsibility of developing character
  and active citizenship in young people.
• Climate incorporates multiple factors that affect
  the school environment, such as personal
  relationships, leadership, discipline, sense of
  community, safety, civic involvement and
  democratic leadership.
• Curriculum includes strategies and resource
  materials for integrating elements of character
  into the entire school curriculum and for
  strengthening the civics curriculum. Service
  learning is suggested as a highly successful
  strategy for both character and citizenship
  development.

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Service Learning, Health Other Content
AreasHealthy Lives, Healthy Choices
English/Language Arts Social Studies/History Foreign Languages The Arts
Examine how marketing has been used to promote smoking cigarettes and to stop people from smoking Interview elders to find out how popular diets have changed since their childhoods Examine how language barriers interfere with healthcare in developing countries and among immigrant populations Use photography to capture images of community health
Read a book or novel and look at the choice made by the characters that contributed to their well-being Compare global diets and lifespan Read recipes in different languages and learn about the food ingredients from various cultures Create dramatizations of challenging situations with what would you do? moments, and include examples of healthy responses
Source The Complete Guide to Service Learning
(Kaye, 2010)
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Service Learning, Health Other Content Areas
Math Physical Education Computer Science
Find statistics regarding the reaction time of braking in a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and alcohol Interview athletes for information about how food choices and exercise can build strength and endurance Research how increased computer use (video games, social networking, etc.) impacts young peoples health Find out how weather can affect the health of people living with conditions like asthma
Compare health care costs in rural, suburban and urban communities Use pedometers and chart physical activity of students in a class Design screen savers with positive messages about healthy choices and distribute to students and the community Learn what blood pressure is and how to check it
Source The Complete Guide to Service Learning
(Kaye, 2010)
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• The KEY to a successful school Character
  Education program is to follow the The 11
  Principles of Effective Character Education
• Each principle outlines criteria that should be
  considered when developing an effective program.
• The 11 Principles of Effective Character
  Education offer the primary guidance for
  successful implementation and outcomes.

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What is quality character education?

• Effective character education
• Principle 1 Promotes core ethical values.
• Principle 2 Defines character comprehensively
  to include thinking, feeling, and behavior.
• Principle 3 Uses a comprehensive, intentional,
  and proactive approach.

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What does a school with quality character
education look like?

1. Principle 4 Creates a caring school community.
2. Principle 5 Provides opportunities for moral
   action (service learning).
3. Principle 6 Includes a meaningful and
   challenging academic curriculum that meets the
   needs of all learners (performance character).
4. Principle 7 Fosters students self-motivation.

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Who should be involved in character education?

• Principle 8 Engages the school staff as a
  learning and moral community.
• Principle 9 Fosters shared moral leadership and
  long-range support.
• Principle 10 Engages families and community
  members as partners.

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How are we doing? Where do we go from here?

• Assessment should guide the process!
• Principle 11 Evaluates the character education
  initiative.

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I AmCharacter, Leadership and Service
2012 NCDPI Student Leadership Institute

• Title V Abstinence Education and Social Studies
  Partnership

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Title V Abstinence Education

• 1.7 million federal grant from ACF, USDHHS
• 19 high need counties receive sub-awards
• Students in grades 4, 5 and 6
• NC AEGP project focus
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• Health Services
• Health Education
• Parental and Community Involvement

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Social Studies Education

• Inherited Character Education in 2009
• Small appropriations from the NC General Assembly
• 115 LEAs plus Charter Schools (8 State Board
  Districts)
• Students in grades K-12
• Curriculum Focus
• Citizenship Education
• Service Learning

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Service Learning

• Service-Learning is a pedagogy that connects
  meaningful community service experiences with
  academic learning, personal growth, and civic
  responsibility. Service-learning goes beyond
  extracurricular community service because it
  involves participants in reading, reflection and
  analysis provides students an opportunity to
  develop a personal connection to what they are
  learning and creates a context for the
  application of concepts introduced in the
  classroom.
• Benefits
• It enhances the educational goals of the
  curriculum through experiential learning and
  critical reflection.
• It helps students develop the skills and virtues
  required for full participation and leadership in
  their democratic communities.
• It serves the public good by providing a needed
  service to individuals, organization, schools, or
  other entities in the community.

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What the Research Says
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Service Learning 40 Developmental Assets

• External
• Community Values Youth
• Youth as Resources
• Service to Others
• Positive Peer Influence
• High Expectations
• Creative Activities
• Youth Programs

Source http//www.search-institute.org
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Service Learning 40 Developmental Assets

• Planning and Decision Making
• Interpersonal Competence
• Cultural Competence
• Resistance Skills
• Peaceful Conflict Resolution
• Personal Power
• Self-Esteem
• Sense of Purpose
• Positive View of Personal Future

• Internal
• Achievement Motivation
• Bonding to School
• Homework
• Reading for Pleasure
• Caring
• Equality and Social Justice
• Integrity
• Honesty
• Responsibility
• Restraint

Source http//www.search-institute.org
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The Benefits of Service Learning

• Civic Responsibility
• Increase awareness of community needs
• Relate to culturally diverse groups
• Feel they can make a difference
• Academic Learning
• Improved grades including test scores
• Improved grade point averages
• Improved problem-solving skills
• Increased interest in academics
• Increased student attendance

Source Research on k-12 School-Based Service
Learning (S.H. Billig)
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Service Learning Healthy Outcomes

• Personal and Social Development
• Increase measures of personal and social
  responsibility
• Increased self-esteem and self-efficacy
• Less likely to engage in risk behaviors
• Less likely to be referred for disciplinary
  measures
• Less likely to engage in behaviors that lead to
  pregnancy or arrest
• School Environment/Climate
• Improves overall school climate

Source Research on k-12 School-Based Service
Learning (S.H. Billig)
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2012 NCDPI Student Leadership Institute

• Two and a half day residential program
• June 27th through June 29th
• William Peace University
• 16 Teams of Students with Adult Advisors
• 7 Elementary
• 6 Middle School
• 3 High School
• 84 total

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2012 SLI TEAMS
REGION 1 NORTHEAST Lakeforest Elementary First
Flight Middle
REGION 3 NORTH CENTRAL Moore Square Museum
Magnet Rocky Mount Preparatory Southeast
Halifax North Johnston High
REGION 5 PIEDMONT - TRIAD/ CENTRAL Efland
Cheecks Erwin Montessori Mineral Springs
Middle Penn-Griffith High
REGION 7 NORTHWEST Snow Creek Elementary
Alleghany
Camden
Currituck
Gates
Northampton
Ashe
Stokes
Surry
Rockingham
Caswell
Person
Warren
Vance
Hertford
Pasquotank
Halifax
Watauga
Wilkes
Granville
Yadkin
Forsyth
Perquimans
Chowan
Avery
Bertie
Orange
Guilford
Mitchell
Franklin
Durham
Nash
Alamance
Caldwell
Davie
Alexander
Edgecombe
Yancey
Madison
Dare
Martin
Davidson
Wake
Iredell
Washington
Tyrrell
Burke
Chatham
Randolph
Wilson
McDowell
Rowan
Catawba
Buncombe
Pitt
Haywood
Beaufort
Johnston
Lincoln
Greene
Swain
Hyde
Lee
Cabarrus
Rutherford
Harnett
Henderson
Wayne
Jackson
Graham
Stanly
Moore
Polk
Cleveland
Gaston
Montgomery
Lenoir
Mecklenburg
Craven
Transylvania
Macon
Cherokee
Pamlico
Clay
Cumberland
Richmond
Hoke
Jones
Union
Anson
Sampson
Duplin
Scotland
Carteret
Onslow
Robeson
Bladen
Pender
REGION 6 SOUTHWEST Lincoln Charter
Elementary Concord Middle
REGION 4 SANDHILLS/ SOUTHCENTRAL Cameron
Elementary Hoke County High
New
REGION 2 SOUTHEAST Penderlea Elementary Southwest
Middle
Columbus
REGION 8 WESTERN
Hanover
Brunswick
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The Experience

• Team Building Session
• Leading To Change (Charlotte, NC)
• Elementary Teams
• Training in Service Learning, Leadership and
  Character Development
• Service Learning Project Planning with Centennial
  Middle School (Raleigh, NC) Leadership Staff
• Experiential Learning Experience at the Alice
  Aycock Poe Center for Health Education (Raleigh)
• Middle High School Teams
• Training in Service Learning, Leadership and
  Character Development
• Service Learning Project Planning with Guilford
  County Schools Character Education Staff
• Guest Speaker, Marty Wiggins, Environmental
  Education Consultant
• Experiential Learning Experience at Lake Crabtree
  (Raleigh)

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2012 SLI Resources
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2012 SLI Testimonials

• The students absolutely loved the leaders from
  Leading To Change! They had a lot of fun moving
  around and participating in the activities. They
  were activities that the students have been able
  to share with their peers in the classroom as
  well.
• Teambuilding Session with Leading To Change
  Really pushes our kids out of their comfort zone
  which was great!
• The kids were on fire, and didnt want to stop!

Quotes from 2012 SLI Evaluation Survey
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2012 SLI Testimonials

• NCDPI SLI Team provided wonderful resources!
• The Poe Center This was such a wonderful
  learning opportunity for the kids as well as
  myself! So many hands on experiences for them I
  really think they took a lot away from that
  trip.
• The stop by Durham (the American Tobacco
  District) was good.
• I love that the students were able to
  participate in creating and leading the closing
  ceremony.

Quotes from 2012 SLI Evaluation Survey
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The 2012 SLI Experience
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2012 SLI Outcome

• Create A Service Learning Project
• Elementary Teams had to create a health-related
  project or show the health link
• Service Learning Project Focus
• Raising money through exercise (walk-a-thon/bike-a
  -thon) to start and fund a school Back Pack
  Buddies program
• Fighting Hunger
• Bullying
• Improving school environment through wellness
• Planning and planting a school garden
• Environmental Awareness and recycling
• Providing support to youth battling
  life-threatening illnesses

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2013 SLI

• June 23 26
• William Peace University
• Veteran Cohort and Beginner Cohort
• Focus Building Capacity in Student Leadership,
  Service and Character Development.

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State/National School/District of Character

• Brenda ElliottExecutive Director of Student
  ServicesProject Manager for Character
  Development Initiativeelliotb_at_gcsnc.com 
• Yvonne FosterCoordinator of Character
  Development Service-Learningfostery2_at_gcsnc.com

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State/National School/District of Character

• Cotswold Elementary
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Alicia Giles Hash
• Principal
• p349_at_cms.k12.nc.us.
• Mary Hook
• Coordinator for Character Educationmary.hooks_at_cms
  .k12.nc.us

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How Do You Know If Your Character Education
Program Is Working?

• Observable Behaviors
• Do students demonstrate that they know right from
  wrong?
• Do students actions show a respect for others?
• Do students work well cooperatively?
• Do students influence others in a positive way
• Is the school becoming a more caring community?
• Is the entire school staff working on being a
  positive role model and friend to students?

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How Do You Know If Your Character Education
Program Is Working?

• Collect Definitive Information
• Attendance data
• Suspension data
• Data on specific behaviors
• i.e., fighting, bullying, cutting class, d-hall
  participation, etc.
• Communication logs
• i.e., parent/community involvement,
  school/community collaboration, school program
  agendas and bulletins, etc.

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• Nothing is more important to the public weal
  well-being than to form and train up youth in
  wisdom and virtue.
• --Benjamin Franklin