The shape of our society, the fate of our country, depends on young men and women who know these things. And we must teach them. The message of our society must be clear. When a man or woman has a child, being a father or mother becomes their most important job in life. Not all teachers are parents, but all parents are teachers.
Family is the first school of manners and morals.
And the compass of conscience is usually the gift of a caring parent. Yet parents should expect schools to be allies in the moral education of children. The lessons of the home must be reinforced by the standards of the school standards of safety, discipline and decency. Character education efforts should seek to stimulate collaboration with youth, faith-based and community organizations as well as parents. Character education initiatives should seek involvement and support of the business community and private foundations.