Character Education in America.

Overview & Synopsis

A national consensus has been developing in recent years on the crisis of values faced by the United States. A measure that has recently reemerged and captured a measure of public attention is character education. This paper examines the degree to which state governments and their educational establishments have attempted to use character education in their schools. Character education in American schools dates from the foundations of public education. In 1993, a Gallup Poll found that 79% of Americans favored traditional character education in schools. Some states actually mandate character education. A good example of a statewide character education program is that of Georgia. How to provide value education is a local decision, but the state suggests program formats and values-promoting activities. The state provides no direct funding, but suggests some sources of funds. In New Hampshire, the approach to character education is indirect. The state has established a values education program for use by teachers in the classroom. Character education, as states are coming to recognize, can be part of the solution to the problems facing America's youth. (SLD)