The Maryland Center for Character Education is an independent, non-profit organization made up of representatives from Education, Government and Community Institutions, and the Business Community. It works cooperatively with the Character Education Office of the Maryland State Department of Education.

Education Goals

The Maryland Center for Character Education Officers

Baltimore City Public Schools Character Education Project

Character Counts! Across the Bridge,too...

Kiwanis Sponsors "Terrific Kids" Program

The Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education
Featuring: Dr. Thomas Lickona

"Who Said That?"

Appreciation to the College of Notre Dame

Character Education at Friends

Speakers Bureau

A Book of Values
By John Carroll Byrnes

Recognition for Outstanding Character Education Programs

Contact the Maryland Center for Character Education on the Internet

An Invitation to Join the Maryland Center for Character Education

Membership Form

• To assist teachers in providing students with a framework for understanding and practicing core values in our society.
• To serve as a resource center for educators, students, parents, and community leaders in affirming their roles as teachers (and models) of values.
• To foster research and publications of initiatives in values education.

Character Education within the Baltimore City Public Schools can trace its recent origins to the Maryland Values Commission, which issued its report in 1983 after a four year study. The BCPS System believes that the task of building character should remain a joint responsibility of the home and the community. Based upon the legal opinion issued by the Attorney General for the State of Maryland, the Baltimore City Public Schools System holds itself responsible for the teaching of the core set of values in support of good character. Our instructional efforts are reinforced by numerous, positive role models, represented by the total school staff.

Baltimore has developed a three pronged approach to the delivery of its character education curriculum. This includes the infusion of the Maryland Character Objectives into the formal school curriculum. Each unit within every subject taught, as a required course or an elective, contains lessons built on one or more of the Maryland Character Objectives.

The second component of our instructional approach involves the teaching of character through the utilization of supplemental materials. These tools include the Character Education Institute kits provided each homeroom teacher and the inclusion of programs such as conflict resolution and peer mediation. Each school is asked to develop a comprehensive approach, based upon existing and desired programs. Character education is seen as the umbrella under which these individual components are focused upon the development of positive character within all children.

The third prong of our comprehensive model is grounded on the belief that children are likely to replicate the behavior exhibited by their adult role models. Participating schools are therefore expected to insure that all adults, associated with the school, recognize that they must serve as examples of positive character. Schools are encouraged to establish a committee of teachers, parents and students, where appropriate, to design, implement and monitor an appropriate program. Therefore, each school's endeavor is unique but aimed at the internalization of the Maryland Character Objectives, within the Baltimore City Public School's Comprehensive Model for Character Education by every student.~~ Submitted by Jim Sarnecki

Throughout the Eastern Shore, more and more folks are talking about character education efforts as the CHARACTER COUNTS! Program reaches more communities. Dick Allen in the Talbot County CC! office reports progress in all directions:

The recent annual conference of Eastern Shore guidance counselors featured break-out sessions on implementing CC! programs in the context of a school-community partnership. Some 60 guidance counselors from all nine counties on the Shore came to learn.

• In Easton's largest elementary school, disciplinary referrals are down 23% over last year. Teachers and administrators enthusiastically credit a school-wide CC! program for these results.
• In Talbot's elementary schools, community volunteers create a little "magic" through weekly visits in the classrooms, talking with children about an aspect of character development. This program weds Bob Mauk's :Magic Show" with the CC! message and lets each volunteer find a creative way to pique the children's interest with their simple tricks and worthy messages. (You can see a live demonstration of the Magic Show at the upcoming Character Counts! national conference in Gaithersburg in April, complete with a busload of second graders.)
• "Character Counts! In Kent County," according to hundreds of bumper stickers now visible in the area. As examples: an innovative variation on the Magic Show will soon put Washington College students into Garnett Elementary School as volunteers, and the Chamber of Commerce is exploring plans for a business/teacher/student initiative to educate young people as good employment prospects.
• Kennard Elementary School in Queen Anne's County has asked for more information about the Magic Show and CC! training for teachers. More on this in the next issue...

Submitted by Mark Beck

The next time you see a "Terrific Kids" car bumper sticker, you should know that it was given to a student who demonstrated the following characteristics in school:

T thoughtful - concerned - helps friends in need
E enthusiastic - eager - interested - on time
R respectful - respects others
R responsible - dependable - honest - trustworthy
I influential - sets a good example
F friendly to everyone
I impeccable - clean - neat - nice to others
C caring - concern for self and others

Mr. Dig DeGarmo, member of the Maryland Center for Character Education, directs the "Terrific Kids" Program in the Reisterstown, MD area. In this area, thirteen elementary schools have awarded more than 7,000 "Terrific Kids" bumper stickers to students in these schools. The following comments from elementary and middle school students reflect what being a "Terrific Kid" means to them:

Kendall T. "I felt very honored to be picked for such an award. I liked it because my teacher said I worked hard to achieve my goals."

Janet W. "I felt very privileged to receive such an award. I also felt good that my teacher felt I deserved the award."

Stephanie S. "I felt special and very responsible since I worked hard to receive the award."

Kaitlyn T. "I felt very happy and glad to receive the award. My principal was proud of me and so were my friends."

Emily K. "I felt happy and proud that with 29 kids in my class I received the award."

Respect is one of the key traits students must exhibit to be selected as a "Terrific Kid". Let's all be on the lookout for their bumper stickers.

The Maryland Center for Character Education is extremely grateful to the College of Notre Dame for providing office space, as well as the use of the Board room for meetings and workshops. Sister Sharon Slear, Dept. of Education, College of Notre Dame of Maryland and Chair, Maryland Association of Liberal Arts Teacher Education Programs was the Center's first treasurer. Sister Sharon's support was instrumental in the early successes of the Center.

The Board of Directors of the Maryland Center for Character Education salutes the College of Notre Dame of Maryland for this exemplary contribution.

Many of the Independent Schools have courses on Character Education throughout their K-12 program. These courses are often called: Decision-Making, Talk,Group, Discovery, etc. At Friends Middle School we have "Group" for all students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. During Group class we tackle topics such as "winning at all cost", cliques, teasing, harassment, drug education, sex education, wellness, friendships, shoplifting/stealing, respect, honesty, "when and who to tell", Community Service, and many other related issues.

Quaker Schools have had a rich tradition of reaching out to serve the larger community through community Service K-12 programs. Our 8th grade students go off campus every Friday to work at three different agencies. The Children's House at Johns Hopkins is one of the programs we serve. Our students visit each week and help with any project that would provide comfort to the families at Children's House. They bake cookies, help with letter writing campaign for an upcoming event, plan Teen Activity Kits, and provide a helping hand around the house. In addition, back at school each homeroom collects money from bake sales, etc. to buy gifts or focus toys for the wish box, which children receive after having a medical treatment.

At the Maryland Food Bank our students weekly help box up cans of food to be distributed to needy families. When our students arrive at Moveable Feast they are immediately put to work. The students toss salads, make sandwiches, gather supplies, label meals, clean, and fill the many bags of food for individuals that will be delivered to them in their homes.

We have found the direct "hands on" community service projects for Middle School students to be extremely valuable. In our Group Classes we are able to process experiences our students have had during their time working on community service projects. Adolescents need small group classes to talk openly, with their peers, about different "value" issues. The combination of group class and community service "hands on" projects have allowed our students to grow by being actively involved in helping others

Submitted by Barbara S. Buck , Asst. Principal of Friends Middle School

Following are examples of topics offered by the Maryland Center for Character Education Speaker's Bureau (contact the office for details - (410) 662-1929):

• The Teacher as a Role Model
• The Maryland Model
• The Case for Character Education
• The Inclusion of Values in Curriculum Guides
• Starting a Character/Values Education Program in a School
• Increasing Educational Performance in the Student from a Poverty Background
• Character Counts
• Heroes for Today's Students
• Values Programs Available from Kiwanis Clubs

Judge John Carroll Byrnes has realized a dream which he has had for many years: a book to tell the story of values simply and clearly. This delightful publication is a must for every school - perhaps for every student. It is a beautiful little six inch square paperback with fascinating illustrations by Megan Murphy and Greg Houston.

A Book of Values has as its subtitle, A Primer for Character Education, and it is exactly that. Judge Byrnes has selected twelve core values and has succinctly described their meaning and implications. For example: an excerpt from Bravery:

Bravery is not just physical. It is also a willingness to stand up for what is right, for what you believe in, even when people around you think or act differently, and even when your courage might make you less popular.

Other values which are included are learning, respect, self-respect, loyalty, kindness, family, sexuality, responsibility,

philosophy/spirituality, citizenship, and honor. Each is illustrated and explained in about 100 words.

The book is designed for school children and their families. It is so well written that it lends itself to comprehension at every level from kindergarten through high school. It is so profound in its simplicity that it is equally appealing to adults. In the foreword, Judge Byrnes assures us that:

This book is designed to initiate thought and discussion about values and to provide encouragement to make good decisions based on a set of strong personal ideals.

A Book of Values is available through the Maryland Center for Character Education and is free except for postage and handling.

Submitted by Mary Ellen Saterlie, Retired Associate Superintendent Baltimore County Public Schools

The Maryland Center for Character Education, in conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education, will recognize at the May meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education those schools which have excelled in implementing a character education program in 1998-99.

Selected schools will be those that have met one or more of the following criteria:

1 Implemented a systematic approach to teaching and reinforcing elements of character such as truthfulness, respect for others, love of country, etc.

• Integrated elements of character into curriculum to achieve relevant teaching and reinforcement of character on a regular basis.
• Implemented a character program in conjunction with parents and guardians to achieve teaching and and reinforcement of character in both home and school.
• Implemented a noteworthy program of student service to the school and/or the community.

The Maryland Center for Character Education is currently conducting its second membership drive. Institutional memberships are $50 for two years. Individual memberships are $10 for two years. The Center is an excellent resource for providing speakers; assisting with conferences; evaluating values programs; and serving as a resource for individuals, schools, or organizations interested in values or character education. The first invitation for membership was successful in bringing a large number of private schools from AIMS, as well as public schools. Interested organizations or individuals should contact the Center at (410) 662-1929, FAX (410) 235-7217 or return the form below.

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