Character Education

One avenue to improving the well-being of children in our schools is Character Education. This approach to prevention places the emphasis on instilling positive virtues in students rather than simply warning them of harmful risks.

In the role of evaluator, The Center began its partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education in 1996. We have found that one of the strengths of Character Education is the infinite ways it can be incorporated into the curriculum and into the school climate itself. Character development can be integrated into everyday teaching, and adults in the schools can model moral behavior. Anecdotal evidence suggests that where this is done, students improve in behavior and attitude.

As Character Education expands to schools throughout the state, The Center serves as a resource for school personnel. We provide consultation on program planning and evaluation. We also identify emerging links between Character Education and other data reported by schools. The Center also plans and organizes the statewide annual Character Education Conference.

For more information about any aspect of the Character Education program and its evaluation, contact Christy Derrick at 803-777-8494.