Character.org Announces Record Number of Applicants with its Schools of Character Application

WASHINGTON - Jan. 27, 2015 - PRLog -- Character.org (formerly the Character Education Partnership), a national advocate and leader in the movement to educate, inspire and empower young people to be ethical and engaged citizens through reclaiming our schools for character, is pleased to announce that 165 schools and districts (representing over 110,000 students and 21 states) have applied to be considered for State and National Schools of Character recognition. The organization is proud to announce that participation in the application process has increased by 22% over last year.

As a part of its Schools of Character program, Character.org recognizes Pre-K through 12th grade schools and districts that demonstrate that character development is having a positive impact on academics, student behavior, and school climate. Since the program's launch in 1998, over 5,000 schools and districts have participated in Character.org’s Schools of Character process impacting almost half of a million students’ lives.

"We are thrilled that so many schools are choosing to participate in the Schools of Character application process," said Becky Sipos, Character.org’s CEO. "The application process is challenging yet rewarding and we know that those who apply are really trying to improve their school’s climate. Those who have received the honor of being named a State or National School of Character in the past have told us that the process of applying really helped them reflect and grow. I would like to congratulate all who participated in this process and commend them for focusing on developing their schools into places that nurture and create ethical and engaged young citizens for our country.”

The Schools of Character application process is an opportunity for schools and districts to receive thoughtful feedback for growth and excellence in the area of character development through Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education framework. It is also a method of recognizing exemplary schools and districts in the nation. There are many benefits for participating in the Schools of Character application process, including:

• Schools gain insights into what high-quality character education looks like in practice, helping them in their vision for systemic culture change in their school.

• Schools have the opportunity to reflect on their programs and interventions, and assess their level of implementation against a recognized standard of excellence, thereby improving and strengthening their programs.

• Schools receive guidance, feedback, and recognition at no cost to the schools—other than their time.

“We as a school have grown so much by going through the application process,” said Laura Mason, Assistant Principal at Rocky Branch Elementary School in Bogart, GA. “We want to improve the educational experience for students, so whether or not we receive the honor of being named a National School of Character, working together to develop the application and receiving professional feedback on our character journey has tremendously helped us in making Rocky Branch the best school it can be.”

Schools that are named “State Schools of Character” based on the initial application review process will go on to the national evaluation process that includes site visits by the Character.org staff, conference calls, and analysis of the impact of their character-related efforts on academics, student behavior, and school culture as part of the consideration to be named a National School of Character.

The 2015 National Schools of Character will be announced in mid May 2015. Character.org will honor these schools and districts at a press event in Washington, D.C. in May and during the 22nd National Forum on Character Education, to be held Oct 16 & 17, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Character.org: Founded in 1993, Character.org is a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that works with schools and districts to inspire, educate and empower young people to be ethical and engaged citizens. It is led by education leaders who are dedicated to youth learning how to be both smart and good through the advancement of quality character development in all schools. The impact of this is seen through improved academic achievement, decline in behavioral problems such as truancy and an increase in an overall positive school climate. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the National Forum and the Schools of Character program.