Character Ed

Grant

BUILDING CHARACTER – ACROSS THE CURRICULUM AND BEYOND

There’s not a spot where CHARACTER is not!

In August 2006, Broward School’s Character Education Department was one of only 36 projects nationwide to receive a 4 year, $1,408,635 research grant entitled, Character Across the Curriculum and Beyond.

The purpose of the Character Across the Curriculum and Beyond program is to design and implement an enhanced character education curriculum at the middle school level.  The program will assist school staff, at 8 randomly selected Broward County schools, in integrating the current “Character –The Core of Our Lives” curriculum into classroom instruction; align the Character Education (CE) curriculum to be consistent with Sunshine State Standards; and ensure that all are carried out in conjunction with Middle School Reform Efforts and the 7 correlates of effective learning.  This enhanced CE program will also address and enhance student, parent and community involvement in the character education efforts.

“Character – The Core of Our Lives”, 8 Character Traits

After extensive public involvement, the School Board of Broward County, Florida has adopted 8 character traits that are infused throughout our curriculum and student activities.  We at the Office of Prevention know that character is at the core of who we are as individuals, and enhancing our character will in turn, enhance our health and wellbeing, helping to prevent violence and substance abuse.  The 8 essential core character traits that we work to enhance in our District are:

  1. COOPERATION (September): Working with others to accomplish a common goal.
  2. RESPONSIBILITY (October): Meeting obligations by being reliable, accountable, and dependable to self and others.
  3. CITIZENSHIP (November): Knowing, understanding, and displaying a high regard for rules, government, heritage, and for those who have served and sacrificed for community and country.
  4. KINDNESS (December): Being helpful, thoughtful, caring, compassionate, and considerate.
  5. RESPECT (January): Showing consideration, understanding, and regard for people, places and things.
  6. HONESTY (February): Being truthful, trustworthy, and sincere.
  7. SELF-CONTROL (March): Having discipline over one’s behavior and actions.
  8. TOLERANCE (April): Recognizing and respecting the differences, values, and beliefs of other people.