Character Education helps students develop good character, which includes knowing, caring about, and acting upon core ethical values such as caring, honesty, fairness, responsibility, and respect for self and others. All schools should work in partnership with families and other community members to develop and implement character and citizenship education programs. The manner in which character is taught must reflect general school and community policies. Educators must participate in this policy making, but broad school policy on Character Education should emerge from discussions with parents, students, and community representatives. The basic documents of our nation may serve as a good beginning for this process.
Character education is important to both individual students and to society.
The maintenance of democracy depends on people respecting one another, on civility, and on personal ethics. A primary function of public education is to prepare students for their roles as citizens. We cannot expect them to obey the law, be responsible, and act with civility if we fail to give them necessary instruction. While the development of character is not solely a school responsibility, schools historically have viewed character development and citizenship education as central to their mission. This is part of the foundation for success in life's various roles, including those of learner, family member, worker, and community member.