Brookside Elementary School has used violence prevention, drug-free schools, and Title I dollars to develop the character education program. Mound Fort Middle High School has approximately 650 students, with a transient student population of approximately 50 percent, as well as the challenge of 6 major gangs, said Principal Tim Smith. Character education has helped the school to create a Community of Caring, by focusing on respect, family, responsibility, caring and trust. Service learning is a major activity and students read to residents of nursing homes and to pre-school and elementary students. Smith said that there was a direct correlation between character education and academic performance.
Character education promotes core ethical values as the basis of good character.
Effective character education requires an intentional, proactive and comprehensive approach that promotes the core values in all phases of school life. The school must be a caring community. To develop character, students need opportunities for moral action. Effective character education includes a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners and helps them succeed. Character education should strive to develop students' intrinsic motivation.