Character Compass: How Powerful School Culture Can Point Students Toward Success
Scott Seider, a rising star in the field of education, has crafted an eloquent presentation of the lessons learned from three case studies of character education. Rather than present yet another implementation model, Character Compass highlights the importance of process, context, diversity, and commitment to a vision. This is a unique, intelligent, articulate, and valuable addition to the body of knowledge informing best and comprehensive practices. --Marvin W. Berkowitz, Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education, University of Missouri St. LouisIn this timely and solidly researched book, Scott Seider offers a vivid account of how three Boston-area charter schools cultivate character in their students. Seider carefully examines the distinct ways that the schools foster moral, behavioral, and civic dimensions of character, making the case throughout that a school s efforts to foster character do not come at the expense of academic achievement rather, they enhance it. This book will be an important read for educators, policy makers, and citizens who care about the full character development of the young. --William Damon, professor of education and director of the Center on Adolescence, Stanford University