ASCD has joined a national coalition that hopes to provide leadership in the effort to develop civic virtue and moral character in students.
The Character Education Partnership (CEP), officially incorporated in February, is a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to "developing civic virtue and moral character in our youth for a more compassionate and responsible society," according to the group's mission statement. The coalition plans a wide variety of activities, including a media campaign, an annual meeting, and a clearinghouse on effective civic and character education programs, explains Diane Berreth, ASCD's deputy executive director. Berreth serves as CEP president. Sanford McDonnell, chairman emeritus of McDonnell Douglas Corp., is chair of CEP's Board of Directors.
The impetus for the coalition came, in part, from rising concern nationwide over evidence of poor moral character and civic irresponsibility, on the part of both youth and adults, Berreth says. She cited recent Wall Street scandals and the riots in Los Angeles as examples.
Organizationally, the CEP grew out of a 1992 meeting on K–12 values and character education programs held at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wis., which ASCD co-sponsored. At the end of the meeting, the participants decided to hold future discussions on how they could work together to advance the cause of values and character education. After several meetings, the plan for the CEP's formation emerged.
ASCD itself strongly supports the importance of effective programs to help students develop character, says Berreth, citing a recent resolution and twin policy reports on moral education and religion in the schools prepared in the late 1980s.
Planned Ventures
- a media campaign to build public awareness of and support for effective civic and character education programs. A launch at the National Press Club is planned for this month.
- a national clearinghouse of education and community programs designed to develop character, citizenship, personal responsibility, and widely shared values, such as honesty, fairness, and respect for self and others.
- publications about the most effective character education programs.
- an annual meeting (the first is scheduled for this winter) to share information on character and civic education programs.
The CEP also plans to work with local communities to help put character and civic development programs into practice. Noting the controversy often generated by discussions about what values students should be taught, Berreth says the CEP will stress consensus building. "We believe that value-laden issues in our society that are highly controversial need to be addressed in a civic framework," she says. "And we will assist communities in going through a consensus-building process to establish what core values they want in their schools." For example, the coalition may be able to recommend speakers, facilitators, or information to help local decision makers.
The Partnership brings together many people who, in the past, have worked independently to promote character education, says Berreth. "There were people working in isolation all over the country who seemed incredibly hungry for a way to come together and raise the public's awareness of this issue," she says.
Membership in the Partnership is open to individuals and organizations committed to developing civic virtue and moral character in youth. The current membership—more than 20 organizations and 20 individuals—represents a diverse array of stakeholders. In addition to ASCD and other national education groups (such as the National School Boards Association and the American Association of School Administrators), CEP's membership includes several character and moral education groups, national faith communities, a New York school district, and others. "We made a conscious decision to make this a bipartisan effort," says Berreth.
Those interested in joining or learning more about the CEP should contact: CEP, 1250 N. Pitt St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 549-9110, ext. 750.