Character Education
Partnership
Character Education in Mississippi began as a collaboration of three entities: the Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Economic Council, and Meridian Public School District. Together they formed a new group called the Mississippi Character Education Partnership. The partnership was formed in 2001 and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant provides funding for the Meridian Public School District to serve as a pilot district in implementing a comprehensive, community-based Character Education model.
http://www.mpsd.k12.ms.us/character/index.html
In addition, eighteen school districts have been provided an opportunity to join the Partnership through a competitive grant process.
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/GrantsAwardees.html
Each of the Partner districts will form a committee comprised of a principal, counselor, teacher, community representative and central office personnel that will complete training, as well as develop a mission statement and character traits that will become an integral part of the life of the district/school. Also included as part of the grant was an evaluation component, the development of a Mississippi Character Education Partnership web site, and the presentation of a state conference to disseminate information to other schools and school districts.
Schools around the state and nation are beginning to adopt character education programs. The Mississippi Character Education Partnership is an exciting project that will aid local districts in their efforts to implement systemic community-based character education; thereby bringing about real changes in staff, community, and primarily, student behavior.
Senate Bill 2121 authorizes local school districts to develop and implement a comprehensive K-12 program for Character Education. Such programs require approval from the State Board of Education. The following procedure will be implemented in order to gain approval for such program.
1.0 Definitions
1.1 Character traits- as defined in Senate Bill 2121, " ...shall reflect and keep with the spirit and letter of the following founding documents: the Mississippi Constitution of 1890; the Constitution of the United States of America; the Declaration of Independence, and state and federal law."
1.2 Assessment of character traits- as defined in Senate Bill 2121, "...shall be limited to and must reflect the material taught in the classroom. Student shall not be evaluated in any way as to whether the students evidence a specific character trait in their own lives."
2.0 Application/Approval Procedure/Adoption
2.1 Application for approval of a Character Education Program K-12 may be made on and after July 1, 1999.
2.2 Applications will be reviewed according to definitions listed in 1.0 and content criteria listed in 3.0.
2.3 Proposed Programs shall be reviewed by the State Board of Education to ascertain if the program compiles with criteria listed in 1.0. Review of the program, "...shall not exceed sixty (60) days. If a review extends beyond this time period, the proposal will be deemed in compliance with the law."
2.4 As stated in Senate Bill 2121, "If the proposed Character Education Program is rejected, the State Board of Education shall set forth in writing the specific areas of objection. These objections must be based on and limited to the following criteria:
the definition of character traits chosen by the school district for implementation shall reflect and be in keeping with both the spirit and letter of our founding document; no instruction shall promote or encourage participation in any conduct that would violate existing state or federal law; and no student shall be assessed or evaluated as to whether the student evidences a specific character trait in his or her own life."
3.0 Application Content
3.1 Application for Program approval will be made on forms provided by Mississippi Department of Education. The application will include the following:
3.1.1 District Name
3.1.2 District Address/Telephone Number
3.1.3 Contact person regarding the application
3.1.4 Title of Character Education Program
3.1.5 Signature of Superintendent
3.2 The Instructional Framework for the Character Education Program shall be submitted and contain the following:
3.2.1 Program design-The Program design will indicate the content of the program.
3.2.2 Program description- The Program description will consist of the following:
Definition of character traits included in Program
Character Education Programs
in
Mississippi Schools
The required information must be attached to the application.
For an application, please contact
Office of Curriculum
Mississippi Department of Education
359 N. West Street
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-2586Revised 10/20/02
Office of Curriculum and Instruction
